Ireland in resounding 'Yes' to EU's Lisbon treaty (3rd Roundup)

By Fiona Smith Oct 3, 2009, 16:10 GMT

Brigid Laffan Chairperson of Ireland for Europe celebrating the final result of the Lisbon Treaty Referendum in Dublin Castle in Dublin, Ireland 03 October 2009. Irish people passed the Lisbon Treaty Referndum by over 60 per cent. EPA/AIDAN CRAWLEY

Dublin - Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen welcomed Saturday the 'decisive step' by the Irish people in giving a 'resounding Yes' to the EU's Lisbon Treaty - as official results showed 67.1 per cent voted in favour of the treaty.

'Today Irish people have spoken with a clear and resounding voice,' Cowen said on the steps of government buildings.

'The nation has taken a decisive step for a stronger, fairer and better Europe,' he said.

'Ireland is embracing its future with Europe,' he added, thanking the Irish people for deciding 'to remain at the heart of Europe where Ireland's future belongs.'

The official results were 67.1 per cent 'Yes' and 32.9 per cent 'No'. Turnout was at 58 per cent, up 5 points since the last referendum.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martain said he was 'absolutely delighted' with the result.

Minister for Health Mary Harney described the result as 'remarkable.'

International reaction from across a clearly-relieved EU also started pouring in, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulating the Irish voters on their choice.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said 'thank you to the Irish people' for voting 'Yes' to the treaty.

Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore who campaigned for a 'Yes' vote also welcomed the decision, saying it was 'sensible.'

The only constituencies to reject the treaty were in Donegal where a protest 'No' vote was expected as a result of fishing industry troubles.

Irish Farmer's Association President Padraig Walshe welcomed the 'Yes' vote and thanked farmers for turning out in large numbers to contribute to the result.

Gerry Adams, president of nationalist Sinn Fein, the only parliamentary party to campaign for a 'No' vote, said the Irish political establishment had ignored the decision of the Irish voters after the first Lisbon referendum.

They would regret the day they ignored the views of 'No' voters this time, he said.

Joe Higgins, Socialist Party Member of the European Parliament, who campaigned for a 'No' vote said he accepted that the Irish people had voted for the Lisbon Treaty.

The head of the first anti-treaty campaign, businessman Declan Ganley, said that Ireland had made a 'mistake.'

He paid tribute to Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen's 'excellent campaign,' for a 'Yes' vote, which he said had made 'vassals' and 'glove puppets' of the opposition.

There was a huge swing towards 'Yes' in the Dublin constituencies with 81.67 per cent of the electorate voting in favour of the treaty in Dublin South.

Ireland, which rejected the Lisbon Treaty by referendum in June 2008, went to the polls Friday to vote on the treaty for the second time.

The overall swing of 20 per cent towards the 'Yes' vote is being ascribed to people afraid of losing their jobs coming out to vote 'Yes.'

Ireland is the only EU member to have held a popular vote on the treaty.

The Czech Republic and Poland are the other two countries that have not yet ratified the pact - which under EU rules must be unanimously approved by all members for it to come into force.

The Lisbon Treaty, among other reforms, aims to streamline decision-making in the bloc, which has expanded rapidly from 15 to 27 members in recent years.

It would create a 'president' and de facto foreign minister for the bloc, as well as ending national vetoes on voting on many issues.