source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8288181.stm

Counting is under way at centres across the Republic of Ireland

Voters appear to have backed 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.

The treaty, aimed at streamlining decision-making in the 27-nation EU, cannot take effect unless all member states ratify it.

Ireland's foreign minister predicted a convincing win for the "Yes" campaign.

"I am delighted for the country," Micheal Martin told Irish radio on Saturday.

The official result is expected late on Saturday afternoon.

The scale of the expected victory is important to Brussels Gavin Hewitt BBC Europe Editor Blog: Hewitt on Europe

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.

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.

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%.

As expected, Donegal North East rejected the treaty again, but only narrowly, with 52% to the "No" camp.

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".

LISBON TREATY Creates new post of EU president (President of European Council) New post of High Representative for Foreign Affairs More decisions by majority vote, rather than unanimity Ratified by all member states except Czech Republic, Ireland and Poland Only Ireland is holding referendum on it Took a decade of negotiations Was intended to take effect in January 2009 If Irish vote 'Yes' - what next? Q&A: Ireland's new Lisbon vote In pictures: Irish treaty vote

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".

The European Parliament President, Jerzy Buzek, called the Irish result so far "good news for Europe".

Turnout was higher than 50% when polling stations closed at 2200 on Friday.

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.

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.

Opponents see Lisbon as part of a federalist agenda that threatens national sovereignty.

Three million people were eligible to vote in the referendum

Irish bookmaker Paddy Power was offering odds of 1/25 on a "Yes" vote - suggesting it was the overwhelming favourite.

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.

"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.

Irish approval of the Lisbon Treaty would be a big step towards full ratification across the EU. The only other countries yet to ratify the treaty are Poland and the Czech Republic - but the parliaments in both countries have approved it.

Three million people were eligible to vote in the referendum.

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.

@ bolded - I know, hence "second" in the thread title, lol, I never quite understood how they can do that myself

@ italics - um, have you seen the state of our finances here in the UK? im just saying, were hardly in the nation to throw rocks at them right now, lol

That's... great?

depends on your perspective

what would you rather? the Ireland went bankrupt?

me and my ma voted no

It stinks.. I'm very much pro-EU and was one of the few Dutch Yes-voters last referendum but this, going after the Irish in their weakened state after their first no is just exploiting said weaknesses. It kinda feels like they took my right to vote away now by first making only the Irish vote for the entirety of Europe, then secondly picking the "shining example" of European aid to decide for all of us.

It would be as if America would each 4 years decide the presidency by only consulting California.

Lots of hate here and I expect a shit-storm from a lot of the opposition parties.

@ bolded - oic, well that doesnt sound right, they should stop them doing that

@ italics - define "means" in this context? (I think I know what you mean, but im not sure)

why?

pulling out will ruin our trade and diplomatic relations in europe, as a founding member, we also signed a contract that means the rest of the founding members (like the French) can sue us if we leave

not to mention the fact that free movement of labour in the EU has greatly benefited our economy

Well, the biggest issues with the "No" vote were addressed, about areas of Irish sovereignty, so a "Yes" vote was all but expected.