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Ireland backs EU's Lisbon Treaty Ireland backs EU's Lisbon Treaty
(20 minutes later)
The Irish PM, Brian Cowen, has praised the "clear and resounding" vote backing the EU's Lisbon Treaty in the Republic of Ireland's crucial second referendum.The Irish PM, Brian Cowen, has praised the "clear and resounding" vote backing the EU's Lisbon Treaty in the Republic of Ireland's crucial second referendum.
Early returns are showing clear majorities for the "Yes" campaign - just 18 months after voters rejected the treaty first time round.Early returns are showing clear majorities for the "Yes" campaign - just 18 months after voters rejected the treaty first time round.
The EU Commission called the result a "vote of confidence" in the EU. Nearly all the EU states have ratified Lisbon.The EU Commission called the result a "vote of confidence" in the EU. Nearly all the EU states have ratified Lisbon.
The treaty is aimed at streamlining decision-making in the 27-nation EU.The treaty is aimed at streamlining decision-making in the 27-nation EU.
It cannot take effect unless all member states ratify it. The only other countries yet to ratify Lisbon are the Czech Republic and Poland. But the parliaments of both countries have approved the treaty.It cannot take effect unless all member states ratify it. The only other countries yet to ratify Lisbon are the Czech Republic and Poland. But the parliaments of both countries have approved the treaty.
The scale of the expected victory is important to Brussels Gavin HewittBBC Europe Editor Read more in Hewitt on EuropeThe scale of the expected victory is important to Brussels Gavin HewittBBC Europe Editor Read more in Hewitt on Europe
The official Irish result will come within hours.The official Irish result will come within hours.
"The Irish people have spoken with a clear and resounding voice," Mr Cowen said in a brief statement to reporters. "It is a good day for Ireland and a good day for Europe.""The Irish people have spoken with a clear and resounding voice," Mr Cowen said in a brief statement to reporters. "It is a good day for Ireland and a good day for Europe."
"The Irish people showed an Ireland embracing her future with Europe," he said."The Irish people showed an Ireland embracing her future with Europe," he said.
Ireland was the only EU member state to hold a referendum on Lisbon, though there have been calls for referendums in several countries.Ireland was the only EU member state to hold a referendum on Lisbon, though there have been calls for referendums in several countries.
The leader of the anti-Lisbon lobby group Libertas, Declan Ganley, said the result marked a "very convincing win" for the "Yes" camp.The leader of the anti-Lisbon lobby group Libertas, Declan Ganley, said the result marked a "very convincing win" for the "Yes" camp.
LISBON TREATY Creates new post of EU president (President of European Council)New post of High Representative for Foreign AffairsMore 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 Send us your comments If Irish vote 'Yes' - what next? In quotes: Reactions to voteLISBON TREATY Creates new post of EU president (President of European Council)New post of High Representative for Foreign AffairsMore 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 Send us your comments If Irish vote 'Yes' - what next? In quotes: Reactions to vote
Counting started at centres across the country at 0900 (0800 GMT) and results are being relayed to the national count centre in Dublin Castle.Counting started at centres across the country at 0900 (0800 GMT) and results are being relayed to the national count centre in Dublin Castle.
Tallies based on partial results indicate a 60:40 "Yes" vote in some constituencies.Tallies based on partial results indicate a 60:40 "Yes" vote in some constituencies.
The first official result, for Tipperary South in southern Ireland, showed 68.4% voting "Yes" and 31.6% "No".The first official result, for Tipperary South in southern Ireland, showed 68.4% voting "Yes" and 31.6% "No".
Later, the result from Kildare North showed 76% in favour and in Tipperary North the "Yes" vote was 70%.Later, the result from Kildare North showed 76% in favour and in Tipperary North the "Yes" vote was 70%.
As expected, Donegal North East rejected the treaty again, but only narrowly, with 52% to the "No" camp.As expected, Donegal North East rejected the treaty again, but only narrowly, with 52% to the "No" camp.
EU hails 'victory'EU hails 'victory'
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, called it "an important victory for Ireland and for all of Europe".Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, called it "an important victory for Ireland and for all of Europe".
He said it was just a matter of time until the EU "finally can push the button for the better European co-operation that the Lisbon Treaty will give us".He said it was just a matter of time until the EU "finally can push the button for the better European co-operation that the Lisbon Treaty will give us".
Brian Cowen: "The Irish have supported reforms so the EU can become more efficient and more effective"Brian Cowen: "The Irish have supported reforms so the EU can become more efficient and more effective"
The European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, praised the Irish "vote of confidence" in the EU, which he said showed a "desire to be a wholehearted member" of the EU.The European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, praised the Irish "vote of confidence" in the EU, which he said showed a "desire to be a wholehearted member" of the EU.
The European Parliament President, Jerzy Buzek, called the Irish result so far "good news for Europe".The European Parliament President, Jerzy Buzek, called the Irish result so far "good news for Europe".
Many voters said they had switched from "No" to "Yes" this time around, the BBC's Jonny Dymond reports.Many voters said they had switched from "No" to "Yes" this time around, the BBC's Jonny Dymond reports.
Opinion is thought to have swung behind the "Yes" vote this time because of the severity of the economic downturn, as well as the legal "guarantees" on Irish sovereignty that the EU pledged after the first referendum.Opinion is thought to have swung behind the "Yes" vote this time because of the severity of the economic downturn, as well as the legal "guarantees" on Irish sovereignty that the EU pledged after the first referendum.
The legally binding "guarantees" state that Lisbon will not affect key areas of Irish sovereignty, such as taxation, military neutrality and family matters such as abortion - significant issues in last year's campaign in Ireland. But they have not yet been attached to the treaty.The legally binding "guarantees" state that Lisbon will not affect key areas of Irish sovereignty, such as taxation, military neutrality and family matters such as abortion - significant issues in last year's campaign in Ireland. But they have not yet been attached to the treaty.
The treaty is intended to make EU institutions better suited to the enlarged bloc of 27. The current Nice Treaty was designed for a 15-nation bloc and predates the EU's eastward expansion of 2004.The treaty is intended to make EU institutions better suited to the enlarged bloc of 27. The current Nice Treaty was designed for a 15-nation bloc and predates the EU's eastward expansion of 2004.
Declan Ganley: "Politically a masterful campaign"Declan Ganley: "Politically a masterful campaign"
Opponents see Lisbon as part of a federalist agenda that threatens national sovereignty.Opponents see Lisbon as part of a federalist agenda that threatens national sovereignty.
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.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.
The Irish anti-Lisbon group Coir said on Saturday voters appeared to have approved the treaty.The Irish anti-Lisbon group Coir said on Saturday voters appeared to have approved the treaty.
"We are extremely disappointed that the voice of the people was not heard the first time around," said Richard Greene, a spokesman for Coir, which means Justice in English."We are extremely disappointed that the voice of the people was not heard the first time around," said Richard Greene, a spokesman for Coir, which means Justice in English.
Three million people were eligible to vote in the referendum. Turnout was higher than 50% when polling stations closed at 2200 on Friday.Three million people were eligible to vote in the referendum. Turnout was higher than 50% when polling stations closed at 2200 on Friday.
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.