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Irish Lisbon Treaty Vote: Early Tallies Show Shift To Yes

DUBLIN -(Dow Jones)- Early tallies in Ireland's second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty show a major shift towards the Yes vote, returning officers said Saturday.

"I'm delighted for the country and it looks like a convincing win for Ireland, " Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin told state broadcaster RTE Saturday.

Most observers say opposition party Fine Gael's exit poll showing 60% in favor and 40% against looks like an accurate prediction of the final result.

"It was one of the most unequal battles in recent history," Socialist Party MEP Joe Higgins said. "The huge funding from big business came blatantly on the Yes side."

Turnout in Ireland's 43 constituencies was estimated at around 50% when polls closed at 2100 GMT Friday, which spelt good news for the Yes vote.

The Lisbon Treaty was rejected in June 2008 by a 53.4% to 46.6% vote with a 53% turnout with 33 out of 43 constituencies voting No.

Ireland is unique among the European Union's 27 member nations in holding a public referendum on the treaty forged in Lisbon to replace the failed EU constitution.

The referendum raises concerns in Brussels that another Irish rejection could throw off the whole EU reform process. The treaty is an amended version of the E.U. Constitution.

EU protocols clarified Irish neutrality and maintained its antiabortion laws, safeguarded independence on taxation and the right to keep its own European commissioner.

-By Quentin Fottrell, Dow Jones Newswires; +35-3-1-676-2189; quentin.fottrell@ dowjones.com

DUBLIN -(Dow Jones)- Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen said Saturday the country's second Lisbon Treaty referendum was carried "decisively" and credited the series of EU guarantees.

The big swing to a Yes vote, currently at 60%-plus in favor, was helped by a series of EU protocols clarifying Irish neutrality and maintaining its antiabortion laws, safeguarded independence on taxation and the right to keep its own European commissioner, plus voter worries over Ireland's deepening recession.

"Ireland is ready to grow and prosper," Cowen told a packed press conference in government buildings. "Today's vote is a declaration of intent to remain at the future of Europe where we belong."

Cowen also thanked the role played by the civic society groups and opposition parties, who sparred over strategy during the first referendum.

The Lisbon Treaty was rejected by Irish voters in June 2008 by a 53.4% to 46.6% vote with a 53% turnout with 33 out of 43 constituencies voting No.

Ireland is unique among the European Union's 27 member nations in holding a public referendum on the treaty forged in Lisbon to replace the failed EU constitution.

-By Quentin Fottrell, Dow Jones Newswires; +35-3-1-676-2189; quentin.fottrell@ dowjones.com

  (END) Dow Jones Newswires
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