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JCadmin · Site Admin Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 65

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7452171.stm

Irish EU vote lost, officials say

15:57 GMT, Friday, 13 June 2008 16:57 UK

Substantial vote tallies across Ireland show the European Union Lisbon reform treaty has been rejected, Irish Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has said.
European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso said all indications were that Ireland had indeed rejected the treaty.
He called for other states to continue their ratification processes and said a solution should be sought.
The treaty must be ratified by all 27 members. Only Ireland has held a public vote on it.
With results in from 39 of 43 constituencies, the No campaign was ahead by 53.6% to 46.4%, state broadcaster RTE reported.
Mr Ahern was the first senior figure from the Irish government to admit that it looked like the treaty had failed.
"It looks like this will be a No vote," Mr Ahern said on live television. "At the end of the day, for a myriad of reasons, the people have spoken."
He said it looked like other EU countries would ratify the treaty, so an Irish No vote would leave the EU in "uncharted waters".
Mr Barroso said he had spoken to Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen and agreed with him that this was not a vote against the EU.
"Ireland remains committed to a strong Europe," he said.
"Ratifications should continue to take their course."
Mr Barroso said EU leaders would have to decide at a summit next week how to proceed.

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JCadmin · Site Admin Joined: 12 Feb 2008 Posts: 65

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_7449000/7449313.stm?PDA=1?item=02062007news&page_id=2

Ireland in crunch EU treaty vote

Irish polls closed at 2200 (2100 GMT) on 12 June, and counting starts on 13 (Friday) morning, with the result expected soon after 1530 (1430 GMT).

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People in the Republic of Ireland have voted in a referendum on whether to ratify the EU reform treaty.
The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Dublin says all eyes are on the turnout, as a low figure would suggest a rejection which could plunge the EU into crisis.
Some reports suggest Thursday's voter turnout was about 40%. Results are expected later on Friday.
All 27 member states have to ratify the treaty for it to take effect, but only Ireland has held a public vote on it.
The treaty is aimed at streamlining decision-making in the EU to cope with its expansion into Eastern Europe and would reduce countries' veto powers.
The Lisbon Treaty replaces a more ambitious draft constitution that was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
Turnout key
Opinion polls suggesting the referendum's result is too close to call, despite a high-profile "Yes" campaign led by Prime Minister Brian Cowen which had the support of most of the country's main parties.
Any turnout higher than 40% will bring a smile to the Yes campaign, our correspondent says.
The treaty provides for a streamlining of the European Commission, the removal of the national veto in more policy areas, a new president of the European Council and a strengthened foreign affairs post. Fourteen countries have completed ratification so far.
Irish polls closed at 2200 (2100 GMT) and counting starts on Friday morning, with the result expected soon after 1530 (1430 GMT).
RTE reported turnout was "brisk" in Kilkenny and Wicklow, but in many other areas, including Cork, Meath and Louth, it was slow.
Just over three million Irish voters are registered - in a European Union of 490 million people.
In 2001, Irish voters almost wrecked EU plans to expand eastwards when they rejected the Nice treaty. It was only passed in a much-criticised second vote.
This time the No campaign is a broad coalition ranging from lobby group Libertas to Sinn Fein, the only party in parliament to oppose the treaty.
Prime Minister Brian Cowen accused the No camp of "misrepresentation", saying voters had voiced concern about "issues that clearly weren't in the treaty at all", the Irish Times reported.
Declan Ganley of the anti-treaty group Libertas said he hoped a No vote would send "a clear message to Brussels" about democracy. "The voice of the Irish people is not to be questioned," he added.
Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, urged all EU states to back the treaty, which is due to come into force on 1 January 2009.
He said the reforms would strengthen the EU to meet global challenges.
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said a No vote in Ireland would spell the end of the treaty.
Have Your Say: How important is the Irish vote for the EU's future?

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