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Irish await EU treaty vote result Irish await EU treaty vote result
(39 minutes later)
Vote counting has begun in the Republic of Ireland's crucial second referendum on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty. Vote counting is under way after the Republic of Ireland's crucial second referendum on the EU's Lisbon Treaty.
Opinion polls and informal exit polls indicate that the country will say yes to the treaty - just 18 months after rejecting it in the first referendum.Opinion polls and informal exit polls indicate that the country will say yes to the treaty - just 18 months after rejecting it in the first referendum.
The treaty, aimed at streamlining decision-making in the 27-nation EU, cannot take effect unless all member states ratify it.The treaty, aimed at streamlining decision-making in the 27-nation EU, cannot take effect unless all member states ratify it.
Results of the referendum are due by late afternoon. The official result of the referendum is expected late on Saturday afternoon.
But indications will come sooner: counting started at centres across the country at 0900 (0800 GMT) and results relayed to the national count centre in Dublin Castle are expected to filter through within hours.
After a late surge in voting as commuters returned home from work, turnout was higher than 50% when polling stations closed at 2200 on Friday.
Taoiseach optimistic
The BBC's Johnny Dymond says indications are that the "Yes" campaign - backed by the government and most of the Irish establishment - appears to have paid off.The BBC's Johnny Dymond says indications are that the "Yes" campaign - backed by the government and most of the Irish establishment - appears to have paid off.
A considerable proportion of those voting said they had switched from "No" to "Yes" this time around, our correspondent says.A considerable proportion of those voting said they had switched from "No" to "Yes" this time around, our correspondent says.
LISBON TREATY Aimed at streamlining EU decision-makingMore decisions by majority vote, rather than unanimityRatified by all member states except Czech Republic, Ireland and PolandOnly Ireland is holding referendum on itTook a decade of negotiationsWas intended to take effect in January 2009 Q&A: Ireland's new Lisbon vote In pictures: Irish treaty voteLISBON TREATY Aimed at streamlining EU decision-makingMore decisions by majority vote, rather than unanimityRatified by all member states except Czech Republic, Ireland and PolandOnly Ireland is holding referendum on itTook a decade of negotiationsWas intended to take effect in January 2009 Q&A: Ireland's new Lisbon vote In pictures: Irish treaty vote
An informal exit poll by the main opposition Fine Gael party estimated a 60% "Yes" vote, Irish broadcaster RTE reported.An informal exit poll by the main opposition Fine Gael party estimated a 60% "Yes" vote, Irish broadcaster RTE reported.
In last year's vote, 46.6% voted "Yes" and 53.4% "No". Irish bookmaker Paddy Power was offering odds of 1/25 on a "Yes" vote - suggesting it was the overwhelming favourite.
Last year's rejection of the treaty by Irish voters plunged the 27-nation bloc into political gridlock. In last year's vote, 46.6% of Irish voted "Yes" and 53.4% "No", and the rejection of the treaty plunged the EU into political gridlock.
Analysts say a "Yes" vote this time around would be a big step towards ratification. Opinion is thought to have swung behind the "Yes" vote this time because of the severity of the economic downturn, as well as a series of concessions the 27-nation bloc has offered to the Irish.
Analysts say Irish approval of the Lisbon Treaty would be a big step towards its ratification.
The only other countries yet to ratify the treaty are Poland and the Czech Republic.The only other countries yet to ratify the treaty are Poland and the Czech Republic.
Prime Minister Brian Cowen - who has warned that another rejection would marginalise Ireland in Europe - was cautiously optimistic.Prime Minister Brian Cowen - who has warned that another rejection would marginalise Ireland in Europe - was cautiously optimistic.
"The people's decision is sovereign and of course that will be the case but I'm hopeful that in the context of today... we'll have a good outcome," he said."The people's decision is sovereign and of course that will be the case but I'm hopeful that in the context of today... we'll have a good outcome," he said.
Key concessionsKey concessions
Three million people were eligible to vote in the referendum.Three million people were eligible to vote in the referendum.
Turnout in Dublin rose to 44% by Friday evening in contrast to other parts of the country, where figures were as low as 10%. Three million people were eligible to vote in the referendum
Irish media reported a late surge as commuters returned home from work.
Counting started at 0900 (0800 GMT) and the results will be relayed to the national count centre in Dublin Castle where an announcement is expected by late afternoon.
The Republic of Ireland agreed to stage a second referendum after winning guarantees on key areas of policy which it blamed for last year's rejection - such as its military neutrality, abortion and tax laws.The Republic of Ireland agreed to stage a second referendum after winning guarantees on key areas of policy which it blamed for last year's rejection - such as its military neutrality, abortion and tax laws.
All of the republic's major parties campaigned for a "Yes" vote except the nationalist Sinn Fein. The party believes rejecting the treaty would mean a more democratic EU.All of the republic's major parties campaigned for a "Yes" vote except the nationalist Sinn Fein. The party believes rejecting the treaty would mean a more democratic EU.
The Lisbon Treaty is intended to sharpen EU institutions following the bloc's rapid eastward expansion since 2004.The Lisbon Treaty is intended to sharpen EU institutions following the bloc's rapid eastward expansion since 2004.
However, opponents see it as part of a federalist agenda that threatens national sovereignty.However, opponents see it as part of a federalist agenda that threatens national sovereignty.