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Ireland rejects EU reform treaty Ireland rejects EU reform treaty
(10 minutes later)
Voters in Ireland have rejected the European Union's Lisbon reform treaty in a referendum by 53.4% to 46.6%. Voters in the Irish Republic have rejected the European Union's Lisbon treaty in a vote by 53.4% to 46.6%.
The vote is a major blow to leaders in the 27-nation EU, which requires all its members to ratify the treaty. Only Ireland has held a public vote. The poll is a major blow to leaders in the 27-nation EU, which requires all its members to ratify the treaty. Only Ireland has held a public vote.
The European Commission says nations should continue to ratify the treaty, designed to streamline decision-making.The European Commission says nations should continue to ratify the treaty, designed to streamline decision-making.
Irish PM Brian Cowen said he respected the vote but it had caused a "difficult situation" that had "no quick fix".Irish PM Brian Cowen said he respected the vote but it had caused a "difficult situation" that had "no quick fix".
Leaders of the No campaign said the vote was a "great result for Ireland".Leaders of the No campaign said the vote was a "great result for Ireland".
An earlier, more wide-ranging EU draft constitution failed after French and Dutch voters rejected it in 2005.An earlier, more wide-ranging EU draft constitution failed after French and Dutch voters rejected it in 2005.
'Uncharted territory''Uncharted territory'
The Irish No campaign won by 862,415 votes to 752,451. Turnout was 53.1%.The Irish No campaign won by 862,415 votes to 752,451. Turnout was 53.1%.
At the end of the day, for a myriad of reasons, the people have spoken Dermot Ahern, Justice Minister Q&A: Irish referendumMark Mardell's EuroblogIn quotes: Referendum reaction
Mr Cowen said: "The government accepts and respects the verdict of the Irish people."Mr Cowen said: "The government accepts and respects the verdict of the Irish people."
He said he would work with other EU leaders to try to find an "agreed way forward" but that the bloc was in "uncharted territory".He said he would work with other EU leaders to try to find an "agreed way forward" but that the bloc was in "uncharted territory".
At the end of the day, for a myriad of reasons, the people have spoken Dermot Ahern, Justice Minister EU mulls options after No voteMark Mardell's EuroblogIn quotes: Referendum reaction
"Ireland has no wish to halt the progress" of the EU, he said."Ireland has no wish to halt the progress" of the EU, he said.
A referendum was mandatory in Ireland as the country would need to change its constitution to accommodate the treaty.A referendum was mandatory in Ireland as the country would need to change its constitution to accommodate the treaty.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said he had spoken to Mr Cowen and agreed with him that this was not a vote against the EU.European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said he had spoken to Mr Cowen and agreed with him that this was not a vote against the EU.
"Ireland remains committed to a strong Europe," he said."Ireland remains committed to a strong Europe," he said.
"Ratifications should continue to take their course.""Ratifications should continue to take their course."
France and Germany quickly issued a joint statement expressing regret over the Irish result.France and Germany quickly issued a joint statement expressing regret over the Irish result.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the UK would press on with ratification, saying: "It's right that we continue with our own process."British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the UK would press on with ratification, saying: "It's right that we continue with our own process."
This is democracy in action... and Europe needs to listen to the voice of the people Declan Ganley, Libertas UK to press aheadSend us your comments
Spain has said a solution will be found but Czech President Vaclav Klaus said ratification could not now continue.Spain has said a solution will be found but Czech President Vaclav Klaus said ratification could not now continue.
Mr Barroso said EU leaders would have to decide at a summit next week how to proceed.Mr Barroso said EU leaders would have to decide at a summit next week how to proceed.
He called for the EU to continue focusing on issues of interest to people like jobs and inflation, energy security and climate change.He called for the EU to continue focusing on issues of interest to people like jobs and inflation, energy security and climate change.
This is democracy in action... and Europe needs to listen to the voice of the people Declan Ganley, Libertas Irish No vote: Voters' reactionUK to press aheadSend us your comments
But BBC Europe editor, Mark Mardell, says this is a multiple crisis for the EU - a crisis of rule change, of legitimacy and of morale.But BBC Europe editor, Mark Mardell, says this is a multiple crisis for the EU - a crisis of rule change, of legitimacy and of morale.
In the end, he says, the Lisbon treaty could be declared dead: some parts of it would be implemented without a treaty, others abandoned, others put in a new treaty when Croatia joins the EU in a couple of years time.In the end, he says, the Lisbon treaty could be declared dead: some parts of it would be implemented without a treaty, others abandoned, others put in a new treaty when Croatia joins the EU in a couple of years time.
Declan Ganley of the anti-treaty lobby group Libertas said: "It is a great day for Irish democracy."Declan Ganley of the anti-treaty lobby group Libertas said: "It is a great day for Irish democracy."
He added: "This is democracy in action... and Europe needs to listen to the voice of the people."He added: "This is democracy in action... and Europe needs to listen to the voice of the people."
The No campaign was a broad coalition ranging from Libertas to Sinn Fein, the only party in parliament to oppose the treaty.The No campaign was a broad coalition ranging from Libertas to Sinn Fein, the only party in parliament to oppose the treaty.
Gerry Adams, the president of Sinn Fein, said: "People feel secure at the heart of Europe, but they want to ensure there's maximum democratic power."Gerry Adams, the president of Sinn Fein, said: "People feel secure at the heart of Europe, but they want to ensure there's maximum democratic power."
ConfusionConfusion
Correspondents say many voters did not understand the treaty despite a high-profile campaign led by Mr Cowen, which had the support of most of the country's main parties.Correspondents say many voters did not understand the treaty despite a high-profile campaign led by Mr Cowen, which had the support of most of the country's main parties.
Jose Manuel Barroso said the EC respected the vote but had hoped for another outcomeJose Manuel Barroso said the EC respected the vote but had hoped for another outcome
Mr 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.Mr 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.
The treaty, which is designed to help the EU cope with its expansion into eastern Europe, 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.The treaty, which is designed to help the EU cope with its expansion into eastern Europe, 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.
The treaty was due to come into force on 1 January 2009.The treaty was due to come into force on 1 January 2009.
Fourteen countries out of the 27 have completed ratification so far.Fourteen countries out of the 27 have completed ratification so far.
Just over three million Irish voters are registered - in a European Union of 490 million people.Just over three million Irish voters are registered - in a European Union of 490 million people.