The "Yes" vote in the referendum for the Nice Treaty now means 10 additional states may join the EU.

European leaders were breathing a sigh of relief today after the referendum decision to back the expansion of the European Union removed one of the biggest hurdles they faced.

Gerry Adams has said that the issues surrounding the Nice Treaty will come back to haunt Europe.

The enlargement process of the European Union is now unstoppable, according to the Taoiseach.

The No-campaign have admitted defeat but say that their job was well done.

The President of the European Parliament says that the "yes" result of the Nice Treaty is a relief as a result for the ordinary Irish person.

The Taoiseach has said that he is grateful to his party members and those who campaigned for a 'Yes' vote in the Nice Treaty referendum.

Ireland has reversed last year’s shock referendum vote against the Treaty of Nice plan for expanding the European Union.

Enda Kenny has said that a number of lessons have been learned from the Nice Referendum this time around.

Members of the 'No' campaign have conceded defeat following the release of unofficial figures in the Nice Treaty referendum.

Final figures from the Irish referendum on the Treaty of Nice showed a 62.89% vote in favour, according to count officials.

A breakdown of all the figures from this weekend's Nice Treaty referendum.

The people of Ireland have accepted the Nice Treaty at the second time of asking.

All but four of the constituencies have now completed counting votes in the Nice Treaty referendum.

22.79% of the vote on the Nice Treaty referendum has been counted.

Almost one fifth of all votes have been counted in the Nice Treaty referendum.

A total of 16.43% of the national vote has now been counted in the Nice Treaty referendum.

Longford/Roscommon and Galway East constituencies are the latest to declare results in the Nice Treaty referendum.

Both Donegal constituencies have voted 'Yes' in the Nice Treaty referendum, albeit by a narrow margin.

European barriers are coming to an end with Ireland's decision to endorse the Nice Treaty, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern claimed today.

The Kerry North constituency, which rejected the Nice Treaty last year, has voted 'Yes' this time round.

The results from the first manually counted constituency point to a comfortable victory for the 'Yes' campaign.

The result of the Nice Treaty referendum is expected to emerge by around 6pm.

Early signs that Ireland is backing EU enlargement brought sighs of relief at European Commission headquarters in Brussels.

Counting of ballot papers in 35 constituencies around the country began at 8am this morning with the final result in the Nice Treaty referendum expected later this afternoon.

Of the seven constituencies whose votes have been tallied, the breakdown of votes follows.

With 9.24% of the poll counted in the Nice Treaty referendum, 66.57% have voted 'Yes' to Nice, with 33.43% voting 'No'.

Polling stations have just closed around the country in the Nice Referendum.

As the countdown to the end of the referendum continues, voters are starting to turn up in larger numbers to submit their ballots.

Voting in the Nice Treaty referendum has reportedly picked up around the country.

Reports from returning officers indicate that polling stations are getting busier. Estimates now place voters registering at between 12% to 27%.

Returning Officers at polling stations predict voting will be steady through the afternoon and the evening without the traditional highs and low associated with voting on a normal working day.

The returning officers at polling stations say people have been slow to vote in the Nice Treaty referendum.

Clear skies and bright sunshine prompted a brisk start to polling in today’s referendum on the Nice Treaty for European Union enlargement.

Polling stations opened at 9am today for voting in the second Nice Treaty referendum. Polls close at 9pm.

Polling stations are due to open at 9am today for voting in the second Nice Treaty referendum.

The Irish Alliance for Europe has stated that the Nice Treaty is only about one issue - EU enlargement.

Today is the last official day of campaigning ahead of the re-run of the Nice Treaty referendum this Saturday. From midnight tonight, a media moratorium will be imposed to give voters the opportunity to consider their choices before casting their votes.

The President of the European Parliament has predicted that Irish farmers will prosper if they vote 'Yes' in the upcoming Nice Treaty.

Voting has begun in the Nice Treaty referendum on five islands off the Donegal coast.

This weekend’s referendum on European enlargement will decide whether Ireland will continue at the heart of Europe, the Taoiseach and the Tanaister today claimed.

The Irish Farmers Association has reiterated its support for a 'Yes' vote in this Saturday's re-run of the Nice Treaty referendum.

An opinion poll published this morning has predicted a probable 'Yes' vote in the re-run of the Nice Treaty referendum this Saturday.

Fianna Fail is accusing opponents of the Nice Treaty of trying to use the issue of neutrality as a wedge to drive people away from their attachment to Europe.