Irish Times: Neen/Ja = 53.5/46.5

[Dr. Marc-Alexander Fluks]

REPLY TO: D66 at nic.surfnet.nl

Bron:  Irish Times
Datum: 13 juni 2008
       Tijdstip: 16:11 Nederlandse tijd
URL:   http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0613/breaking1.htm


Lisbon Treaty looks likely to be rejected
-----------------------------------------

The Lisbon Treaty looks set to be rejected by the Irish people as counting
of votes continues around the country this afternoon.

With 29 of 43 constituencies declared, the No vote is leading by 53.5 per
cent to 46.5 per cent. All but six constituencies have rejected the treaty,
with a national running total of 527,591 voting in favour of Lisbon and
608,156 votes against.

Tallies from early on in the count this morning showed the No campaign
appeared to be winning in most constituencies across the State, with
significant majorities emerging from rural and urban working class areas
in particular.

Minister for Foreing Affairs Micheal Martin, who is also director of
Fianna Fái™s referendum campaign, said there was a perceived lack of
information on the treaty. "People were on the doorstep were saying 'I
still don't know enough about this treaty'."

This was a "significant" factor, the Minister claimed. The Minister said
he was not blaming the Referendum Commission but said there was a sense
that the treaty "just didn't register" and "lacked a clear tangible".
In his own constituency, Cork South Central, the treaty was rejected by
more than 55 per cent of the electorate there.

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon O Cuiv conceded
defeat this morning for the treaty in the constituency, Galway West, while
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny also conceded defeat for the treaty in Mayo
early on in the count.

The founder of Libertas, Declan Ganley, who campaigned for a No vote,
said: "The Irish people have rejected the Lisbon Treaty. "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," Mr Ganley said. He added that the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen,
"has a mandate to go back to Europe and do the best job possible".

Polling stations closed at 10pm last night after 15 hours of voting in the
referendum, the result of which will determine the future development of
the European Union and its institutions. Voting began at 7am, and stations
in 43 constituencies were open until 10pm.

Turnout was reported at about 40 per cent by 9pm, up from 20 per cent in
some constituencies by mid-afternoon. In general, turnout was reported to
be higher in city areas than in rural areas.

By the time polls closed at 10pm last night, around 50 per cent of the
three million people registered to vote were understood to have cast their
ballots.

There is concern in other EU countries about the impact of the decision by
Irish voters, and the French and German governments are expected to make a
joint statement later today once the Irish result is known.

Ireland was the only country to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

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(c) 2008 Irish Times

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