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With 38 of 43 constituencies counted after a referendum Thursday, 53.7 percent of voters had rejected the
"The
"It looks like this will be a no vote," the AFP quoted Justice Minister Dermot Ahern as saying, calling the vote "disappointing" but conceding: "For a myriad of reasons, the people have spoken."
The
The Dutch lower house of parliament approved ratification of the treaty on June 5. The first chamber is expected to follow suit in mid-July. It will then be signed by the Queen.
Early indications in vote counting in The results are "not looking good" for the "Yes" campaign, Europe Minister Dick Roche told AFP. "From what I hear it is not looking good," he said after the RTE state broadcaster reported that the "Yes" votes support was "in difficulty" following the referendum Thursday, which is being watched anxiously by leaders across the European Union. Roche also said the broad picture was that in working class urban areas and in rural areas, the "No" vote was doing well, while the picture was better for the "Yes" vote in middle class urban areas. Turnout was in the mid-40s in percentage terms, RTE added, which had put the figure at 40 percent late Thursday. In general, a lower turnout is thought to benefit the "No" vote, according to experts. The euro fell to its lowest in over a month against the dollar after the first reports suggesting a "No" victory, which could doom the entire EU reform project. European governments say there is no "plan B". "NO "If the Irish people decide to reject the treaty of The treaty, intended to make the EU stronger and more effective, had the backing of all the main political parties in But while the country ranks in surveys as one of the EU's most pro-European states, opponents say the treaty reduces small countries' clout and gives The treaty envisages a long-term president of the European Council of EU leaders, a stronger foreign policy chief and a mutual defense pact, and changes the rules for decision making. Fourteen countries have already ratified the treaty in their national parliaments. The treaty is due to come into force on Jan. 1 if all nations ratify it.