Ireland Votes 'Yes' In Lisbon Treaty Referendum

On Friday Irish voters overturned the result of the first referendum and overwhelmingly voted in favor of the Lisbon Treaty.

With all the results declared on Saturday, RTÉ were reporting that the 'Yes' camp had secured 67.1% of those who voted, a swing of 20.5% since the first referendum.

Overall turnout was a reasonable 58%, with 1.8 million votes being cast.

After the result was declared, Taoiseach Brian Cowen delivered a prepared script on the steps of Government Buildings saying: "This is a good day for Ireland and a good day for Europe. We as a nation have taken a decisive step for a stronger, fairer and better Ireland, and a stronger, fairer and better Europe.

"Today we have said to the other countries of Europe that we stand with them as we seek to move forward together."

He thanked the other large parties within Ireland for their support telling reporters that: "You have put the nation ahead of party politics and I thank you for that."

Looking forward to the next steps, Mr Cowen said: "Today we have said to the other countries of Europe that we stand with them as we seek to move forward together. We do this because we know that we are better together and stronger together.

"We will now work with all our partners in ensuring that the reforms this treaty will bring are implemented.  The Irish people have supported reforms so that the EU can become more efficient and more effective in dealing with the global problems we all face.

"Challenges such as climate change, energy, international crime and of course the economic difficulties in which we find ourselves now. This is what the European Union is all about - States working together to achieve the common good.

Today, we have done the right thing for our own future and the future of our children. We have taken another step on a journey that began 36 years ago when we first joined Europe. 

"A journey that has strengthened and deepened our relationship with our neighbouring nations - their people and their cultures." 

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan T.D., struck a slightly sour note and left those who supported the 'No' vote convinced that the 'Yes' camp had used 'scare tactics' to secure the result when he said: "We are in a very difficult place and that is precisely why people have voted Yes; because they know that our markets, our economic future, lies with the other European countries."

President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso was also unsurprisingly pleased with the result saying, "I see the Yes vote as a sign of confidence by the Irish electorate in the European Union, as a sign of their desire to be wholehearted members at the heart of the European Union, as a sign that Ireland recognizes the role that the European Union has played in responding to the economic crisis."