EU Commission president Barroso: 'Thank you, Ireland'

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso has spoken by phone to the Taoiseach Brian Cowen to congratulate him on the 'Yes' result in the Lisbon Treaty referendum.

Afterwards, a clearly relieved Mr Barroso – sporting a carefully-chosen green tie - told a press conference in Brussels: “The Irish people have spoken. They have said a resounding Yes to Europe. Thank you, Ireland. It is a great day both for Ireland and for Europe.