Goodwill for Ireland restored, says Yes side

Ireland's negotiating position in Europe has been strengthened by today's vote, according to Yes campaigners.

Ireland's negotiating position in Europe has been strengthened by today's vote, according to Yes campaigners.

The Government minister with special responsibility for the EU, Mr Dick Roche, said that any ill-feeling on the part of other EU countries would now be banished by Ireland's endorsement of the treaty.

"Negotiations are always part and parcel of Europe and it's very important to have allies and to have good friends, we're still a small country and we shouldn't lose sight of that," Mr Roche said.

There was anxiety in Europe the treaty would not be passed, Mr Roche said, but that the decision of the Irish people in last year's referendum was respected.

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Chairwoman of the Irish Alliance for Europe, Prof Brigid Laffan said confidence in Ireland's commitment to Europe had been improved because the treaty was endorsed by the democratic will of the people.

"Ireland will be enhanced because the democratic will of its people - as opposed to a Parliament - is behind the Nice Treaty ... this was an important vote for Europe and the Irish Yes will not be forgotten," Ms Laffan said.

"We were a very predictable member state and we suddenly became unpredictable and in negotiations they like stability and predictability and we will be restored to our normal position as being a constructive player," she added.

Mr Roche also said that despite the significant amount of people that again voted against the treaty - numerically more than last time - he did not believe an anti-European movement was developing in Ireland.

He said: "The overwhelming majority of Irish people and every single constituency has endorsed our place in Europe. I personally believe that even on the No side most people are behind our place in Europe.

"I don't believe there is an anti-European rump in Ireland, I believe there are people who have different concerns."