Prime Minister Gordon Brown on 3 October has welcomed the decision by the people of Ireland to back the Lisbon Treaty in a referendum.

More than two-thirds of voters supported Ireland ratifying the Lisbon Treaty, which will help pave the way for EU reform.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the Treaty was good for the UK and good for Europe. He added:

“We can now work together to focus on the issues that matter most to Europeans - a sustained economic recovery, security, tackling global poverty, and action on climate change.”

Irish Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the “Yes” vote was a declaration of intent for Ireland to stay at the heart of Europe.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on BBC News:

"This is obviously a very big day for Ireland.  I also think it’s a good day for Britain and a decisive day for Europe, because after years of institutional wrangling there’s now the clear prospect with all twenty seven European countries having completed the democratic stages of their scrutiny of this Treaty, that Europe can now get down to the serious business of focusing on the issues that matter to people, rather than on the institutional plumbing."

He added:

'And so this does make for a more efficient and effective European Union. I think it will make for a stronger Britain in a stronger Europe. A stronger Britain because Britain gets more voting weight in the European Union as a result of this Treaty and a stronger European Union because I think it creates the structures that will allow Europe not just to sort out its own internal processes, but also be a stronger voice in world affairs.  And I think that is good for Britain and good for Europe.'

Notes for Editors

Number10.gov.uk

EU Lisbon Treaty - why does it matter to the UK?

Britain and the European Union

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