Jean Valjean, please don't presume to tell me why I voted No. My reasons were neither economic, social nor ethnic. My prinicpal reasons for voting no were actually democratic. I am, in fact, pro-EU, but that doesn't mean I must blindly sign up to everything put in front of me.

PJ, Wicklow, Ireland

After receiving billions from the EU now the Irish want to be "independent" of the EU and are instead playing into the Brits and the American's hands.

Why should half a billion people agree to a bunch of ungrateful Irish ?

Shame on you Ireland

Yannis Gikas, Athens, Greece

Nice idea, John of Berlin. When will the German people be having their referendum to approve it?

Dorian, Bath, UK

We desperately need a two tier Europe - those in the EU and those out. That includes the UK of course.

John, Berlin, Germany

Thanks be to the Irish, I never thought I would be grateful to De Valera, but I am.
Now the People of those countries opposed to Europe must stand and be counted only now have we had proof of Europe's intention to rule 400 million people by the wishes of an unelected Cabal.
Freedom beckons!

Howard, Basildon, England

Touch of irony given the amount of coin that Ireland has taken out of the Eu over the last few decades........

Murray, Wellington, NZ

The people decided, those who were allowed to vote. Respect that. This democracy

Tony, lancaster, uk

I keep hearing from supporters of this why should 3 million people determine this for 400 million. My question is why should several hundred (the various parliaments in Europe) determine this for 400 million. Why is Brussels so scared of DIRECT democracy in the form referendums.

Von, london, u.k.

I just returned from Ireland. The YES and No signs were everywhere. The standard of living in the country has advanced 100 years in the last 30. Not as many cute cottages heated with turf or horsedrawn buggies great for photos. Now high tech industry, infrastructure and modernity. Wise choice??

Michael Farrell, Richmond VA, USA

To those who don't understand - our 'NO' was not no to Europe. Our 'NO' was no to undemocratic processes being mooted by this treaty, or did some people not read those articles? All we want is for the rest of Europe to have a say. It should not be up to 862,000 people to decide, but for all.

John McCarthy, Maynooth, Ireland

Though American every drop of Irish blood in me is glistening with pride. The EU and the US are being led down a road to despotism by a tiny group of elites who couldn't care less what the "will" of the people is. Those people will try again. But we win this day.

Ireland speaks for us all.

Andrew, Montana, USA

Why is it abhorrent for Magabye to rig his election but O.K. for a "democratic" west to rig the voting against their own rules

G.COOKE, Crowborough, England

Good for the Irish! Since none of the other leaders dare to actually ask what their countries want - its time the whole EU was re-organised and the self inflated ministers deflated and kicked out of their cushy jobs.

M.Burns, Prayssac, France

The EU as an institution, stinks a mile high. All the other European nations, yes nations, should have the chance to tell the EU lovers where to shove their despotic treaty[/costitution. We must demand a referendum-now!
Angus T., Aberdeen, Scotland, G.B.

Angus , ABERDEEN, Scotland

a treaty that enshrines the progressive improvement of military capability and does not mention the improvement of health services or childrens education. Is, in my world, not the kind of new EU that I, nor many people in Europe want. Please dont treat us with contempt and ignore our vote

Harry Blaney, Howth Co, Dublin, Ireland

Well done Ireland. At least you had the chance to have your say, and you did, a resolute NO to the EU.
Does it start Rat(ification) for a reason, and can i smell one.
It would have been excellent if it had all rested on the Irish vote.
EU Veritas Aquitas, i think not.

karen dickenson, stockport,

Its a real pity. Blame Ireland for trying to stop a united,workable Europ. There is a simple solution for Ireland " drop out " as quick as posible. To most UK blogs.Please do yourself a favor and leave to. You cant imagine how many people you would make happy. I am sick of the negative mentality.

Wolfgang Finken, Kulmbach , Germany

Bad news, Mike from London - all those "subsidies" would depart along with Ireland and the UK, since it's their money to start with: Britain being - and Ireland about to be - a net CONTRIBUTOR.

Barbara, Crewe, UK

It seems that 9 nations are still to ratify.
They ought to be clamouring to say "NYET!" to the EU Soviet.
Napoleon-in-waiting, Sarkozy refers to the free choice of the people of Ireland "sabotage" and says that no country has the right to do so. True colours.
Germans: Remember the 17th of June.

Bernd, Perth, Australia

Its true Ireland benefited greatly from EU.Now, some lazy people call us ungrateful&want us kicked out.But we were not voting on if the EU was good to us or not. We were voting on the future direction of the EU(more centralised power) EU was set up as a free market area.We didnt sign up for the rest

Sean, Galway, Ireland

I was deeply surprised by this Irish vote. Of course they did not vote for the treaty as such, but for something else that has nothing to do with it. This can be checked by the appalling arguments produced. Last year I had my summer time in Ireland and I brought with me a lasting good memory of it.

Armando Bernardo, Parede, Portugal

Thank God for the Irish. The Euro politcal elite may want to be joined at the hip in some federal super state but the vast majority of the people do not.

Andrew Williams, Stafford, England

Thank you Ireland. For a couple of decades there were EU subventions all over your island. Then, when you are supposed to give back this to other regions, you are just not interested any more. You voted for economic, social and , yes, yes, ethnic reasons, there is no *democracy issue here!

jean valjean , Annecy, France

Her Majesty could still, theoretically, refuse to give the lisbon treaty Royal Assent. Wouldn't that be smack in the face for Gordon Brown? I would not expect many people to side with the Government if she took this course of action. She is,as were all Kings & Queens, the guardian of our Country.

Tim Captain RN. (Rtd), Cheshire, Great Britain

This time we Danes were robbed of our referendum (by the Danish government, who got the new treaty stripped of all item that would require a referendum in Denmark!) - but luckily the Irish did the job for us. Well done, and thank you. (c:

Lena, Copenhagen, Denmark

EU's Lisbon treaty will be accepted by Ireland at some point in future. Europe is moving towards more centralized US type of governance system and this is good for Europe. More united European states will have stronger political and economic power. Irish no vote is just a temporary rejection.

David Dzidzikashvili, Allston , USA

and now do we move on forcing a referendum? lets do it. all over europe, find something that unites us a one people - independance.im fed up of skimming faceless machines and having cash siphoned off for more pointles ever sillier forms of control of its people.Nice one ireland.uk next.

jim, bristol, uk

Thank God for the Irish!

bob rooney, Great Bend, kansas,US

Europe would certainly not mind the UK and Ireland leaving the EU, and becoming the 51st state of the USA. Then all the subsidies for Ireland, Scotland etc could be put into something sensible.

Mike, London, UK

A great day for soverign nations indeed. It has however further shown that democracy is dead in Europe. We were asked to have half our current say as well as surrendering 51 areas where we have vetos. It is our country, our constitution and our choice. We chose 'No' so deal with it.

Alan, Galway, Republic of Ireland

Superb news from Ireland, thank you. Democracy is out for us, a broken promise from our government. The bigger the outfit, the bigger the corruption, it appears.

mandy, cambs, uk

BIG BLOW to the hidden intentions of the politicians .
Give to the people the chance to vote on a popular referendum as Irish did and they will see the result. But it looks that they did not get the message yet. Why do we need them there if they do not listen to their people will anyhow?

Marcellus, New York City, USA

Ireland can join America along with anyother European Country as well as Turkey. The American System of government is the finest in the world in providing freedom to indivindulas to work together as a community. Europe brought the world Monarchies, Fachism, and Communism and America defeated all.

J. Janos, Pittsburgh, USA

The Irish vote of rejection is good news – what people do not understand is the distinct National differences between members of the EU.
One Economic size does not fit all – Nation members all have their own interests to follow which means centralised government for the general good will never work

C Rowland, Chester, Cheshire

The Irish took a bold stand at keeping there individuality and their power asa nation the lisbon treaty is a evil document
I believe they will move ahead without the irish if they can, they will reveal that they dont want real unity but that it is all about control

Peter Davis, east killingly, USA

Bravo, Ireland! You didn't let you be influenced by the establishment & you remained truthfull 2 yourself! Hope Brussels will wake up & starts 2 respect the people's will. Nobody wants the national constitutions substituted by a treaty made behind the doors without consent. I fear they won't though!

Holger, Munich, Germany

EU is trying to enforce USSR "soft version" ruling all of us. EU Nomenklatura will not win. EU peoples won't accept a new Kremlin based in Brussels. They want more freedom, and less technocracy.

Jutharat, Bangkok, Thailand

The EU "Superstate" will move forward regardless of popular sentiment. Soon every aspect of you lives will be controlled by and unelected cabal of elites who certainly know how to run your life better than you. Of course then you have to ask yourself whose life is it now?

John, Manchester, USA

EU membership has provided Ireland market access and contributed to its bud­get.
Ryanair, Dell, heard about them?
EU institutions have given Ireland the world’s highest endowment of young science and engineering graduates.
Ask the average know-nothing, xenophobic people his opinion and here we are.

Michael, London, Europe

It is good to see the only country in Europe with a democracy left, has used its voice well. It is a pity, us here in the UK have to abide by an unelected PM, who decides, what or what we dont want.

Well done the Irish for not being bulied. I shall be drinking Guinness tonight in celebration

Paul, Farnborough, England

We joined the EU as an equal partner for free trade, we didn't sign up to be dictated to and ruled by France, Germany etc. The EU can keep their euros if thats the case. To the yes voters here, you would sell our sovereignty and democracy that many good men fought for just for a few euros more?

Eamon, Dublin, Republic of Ireland

This is victory of democracy. God Bless Ireland!

Martin, Kattowitz/Dortmund, Poland/Germany

This organisation has no financial credibility, due to the lack of financial audits. And any organisation without financial credibility is doomed to failure.

Andy, Brighton, uk

What the Irish have done is told Brussels that it has become WAY too big for its boots, and that the whole EU boondoggle needs to be brought under the democratic and accountable control of individual citizens. Good for them.

Antonio, Estepona, Spain

Kick Ireland from EU. If they don't want to be in EU, they should not be in. Should 400 million people depend on 3 million?

Thats why I don't believe in this model. Only the countries that want to be in, should be in. We should not create exceptions nor special rules. Or you are in or you are out.

Jonh Smith, London, UK

I can think of very little that we have benefited from through being in the EU.
They are constantly interfering in our affairs making our Government irrelevant.
Thankyou Ireland and it's people for standing up and saying "No" to the EU.

Stephen Holmes, Withington, UK

What part of "No" does the EU not understand, already they are trying to get the irish to vote again. They need to be told that the point of a referendum to say yes or no, not if you vote No, you must keep voting until you say yes. I find that highly disgusting. UK vote No and leave the EU.

Laurance Allen, London, UK

When is the EU going to realise that the people in the old 15 does not appreciate the direction the union is and has taken. This was a vote of confidence of the political establishment that is running the union and which does not seem to take any notice of what the public opinions are.

Peter, London,

Excellent Job done by the Irish. If I was Bill Gates I would buy everybody in Ireland a drink. Magnificent !!!!!! If they put it to the vote in all the other countries they to would say NO!!
PLEASE PLEASE if they put it to a second vote say NO AGAIN. !!!
They must not be allowed to ignore the people

Keith Sloan, Winchester, UK

Thank you, Ireland! After our politicians betrayed us and didn't allow us to have a say (and it is supposed to be a democracy!) you saved the day. Way to go, Ireland!

Andy Brandt, Cracow, Poland

No one wants an EU superstate. The English don't want Scots or Welsh voting on our matters when we cannot vote on theirs either. We want a sovreign state and a parliament with the power to make its own decisions. We want to know who comes and goes across our borders and the power to deport.

Constance, Tring, UK

Thank you Ireland. Hopefully the constitution/treaty/whatever will be delayed long enough us, in the UK, to return the favour under a Conservative Government in a couple of year's time.

Ian Hayter, Farnborough,

Well done the Irish . Nobody will ever accuse them of not taking an interest in their own future.......in particular if it is places into the hands of foreigners !!

Abucay, Liverpool, UK

Already, Brussels is working out how they can change the rules in order to force through a treaty which is just another step towards a single state federal Europe.

Chris, Camberley, UK

Hurray for Eamon DeValera!! Without his wonderful 1937 Constitution, Bunreacht na hEireann, we could not have gotten the opportunity to vote on Lisbon. I'm proud to be Irish today :O)

Siobhan, Dublin,

I am so sad. This is disaster for the Europeans. We will all be more fragile. This sad outcome will make us all poorer, less meaning and more exposed to the dangers of the world.

Nick, Walbrzych, Poland

Thank you very much Irish people !!!

Here in Portugal, politicians don't let express ourselves.

Joaquim Mário, Porto, Portugal

Well the intentions of the EU have been realised in unifying all Europeans AGAINST the Lisbon Treaty. Whatever the EU has become only politicians now support the concept. Why should people vote for a one party state? What is so alluring about turning you country into a number of economic regions?

Malcolm Turner, Alsager, England

For the European Commission president, Jose Manuel Barroso, to suggest that the Irish people should list their reasons why they rejected the EU Treaty, is like the Kremlin asking the people of Romania, in 1989, to list their reasons why they objected to being governed from the USSR.

Brian Christley, Abergele, UK

To my British neighbours:DEMAND a referendum. You all used people power so effectively to beat the poll tax ... you can do this. Thx for all your comments too - one of my reasons for voting no was because all other Europeans were denied that right.

Tracy, Ireland,

Ireland should now withdraw from the EU and then see how it gets on! Has everyone forgotten all the petty restrictions that applied before the EU came into being, and how member states have benefited from the money which comes into the regions of a country, targeting assistance to where it's needed.

Georgina, Woodbridge, UK

Stefan, most citizens want the ratification? How come, when given the chance to vote, every country has voted no?

Paul, Nuremberg, Germany

EU top officials should now take time, concentrate on rooting out corruption and make sure a proper audit will be finally made after all these years.
What would happen to a business with corrupt management and no proper audit? Not difficult to imagine, unless the business is above the law.

Tony, Surbiton, UK

Stephan of Munich says: 'Most European countries want the ratification and so do their citizens' How does he know? Actually Stephan, the only 'citizens' asked evidently didn't want it. It's not called paranoia, it's called democracy. No one else in Europe dares try it. But that's Europe for you!

David, Tauranga, New Zealand

Well done Ireland. You are a great lot!!!

John, cambridge, UK

If this treaty is so good why does every country asked reject it? and if the people don't want it why do the politicians press for it seeing as they are supposed to represent our views.
Our views are perfectly clear we say no,now go and waste your time and our money on something else like Africa.

paul mitchell, Wolverhampton, England

Now the Irish have rejected the Lisbon-treaty, there is work to do for the E.U., or not to do. The Maastricht-treaty still stands.Must only be made workable for 27 or more nations. Further European integration beyond Maastricht and creating a superstate or Eurocracy are not on the agenda.

Arnold Kramer, Ulestraten, Holland

May God bless Ireland.

Zsuzsanna Takács, Isaszeg, Hungary

The unelected, self appointed "leaders" in brussels, Barroso, Solana and gang, have no right to give their views on this. They have to implement the policies demanded by the electorates in the member countries, nothing else thank you.
This treaty will require another 6,000 of these "servants".

john, woodbridge,

The Irish have prevented the EU from adding yet another catastrophe to the mountain we have already. Let them go back and start sorting out things from the beginning e.g CAP; MEPs'expenses scams

r holmes, axbridge , England

Thank you Ireland. At least the Irish voters were allowed to express their opinion unlike here in the UK where voters do not count at all. David Davis should have resigned over this, not the 42 day fiasco.

JS, York,

The result of the Irish referendum must be respected by all either we agree with the result or not and the rules of the game must be followed.

Haris, Athens,

Brilliant! Shame the UK electorate don't have the same opportunity to reject this 'shabby' so called treaty.

Mike C, London, UK

democracy rules in Ireland. Shame the same cannot be said for England- sold out by Mr Brown

Mike, Gravesend, England

Wonderful. Now let the rest of us show our appreciation by buying Irish products when ever possible.

Clarrie, Sacramento, USA

Thomas Warner, MD, Madison, USA.

WE in the UK face the "spectre of abortion and homosexual marriage" very nicely, thank you. That does not, however mean that we want a bunch of unelected Eurocrats in charge of our policies, any more than we want God in charge of them!

Kevin Browne, Reading, Berkshire, England

Thank you Ireland from Germany.
here we live in Merkels mind: "I no the better way of life for my people." Most of us are against the ratifications.

wolf, Düsseldorf, Germany

Most european countries what the ratification and so do their citizens. If Ireland does not want to participate they don't have to, but then I wonder why they are still member of the EU, profiting of the advantages... This new world order/dictatorship paranoia is so stupid!

Stefan, Munich, Germany

The Irish have taken on Europe and their own leaders and they’ve won. It seemed to me during the last few weeks the politicians in favor of the ‘yes’ vote were acting more like lunchroom bullies than servants of the public. One said there was no Plan B if the treaty was defeated. Too bad for the big guys. Your country will survive without the Lisbon Treaty. You’ve shaken up the powers that be and earned the respect of freedom loving people around the world. Too bad Ireland is the only country in the EU with a constitution to allow the Lisbon Treaty to be put to a referendum of its citizens.

Barbara Burnett, Florida, USA

God Bless Mother Ireland! You have saved Europe again.

DANIEL WILLIAM SULLIVAN, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRASIL

I always liked Ireland and the Irish people. Now I love them!
A sad day for all the contemptuous clerks and eager eurocrats in Brussels and Strasbourg!
I'll celebrate with GUINESS!

Oliver, Malters, Switzerland

At last we have seen a country that believes in freedom and democracy. Well done Ireland.
Gordon Brown lied to us in the UK over a referendum. His government continue to erode our fundamental freedoms.
Time for democratic change, or are they, like Mugabe, frightened of losing?

GW from Crewe, Crewe, UK

Yannis Papas: have you ever heard of democracy? (I had thought that Greece had given this concept to the world.) Irish people are quite as entitled to a vote as are Greek or Dutch people. Did you lecture the inhabitants of the Netherlands when they voted 'nie' in the last round?

Dectora, London, UK ex Ireland

The EU is an example of how dictatorships behave.

I hope the EU never had the gall to lecture another country ever again on its human rights abuses when they run roughshod all over there own peoples.

Like all dictatorships the EU will fall.

Henry Adams, Manchester, UK

The Irish have sided with the Brits and the Americans who want a dysfunctional EU. Well done.

Why don't you just stay out of the EU altogether, that way we would all be happier.

Yannis Papas, Athens, Greece

Aaaahhh, the Irish...funny lot ,we be....With love on your vote...

Mr Tim, san marcos , U S of A

I'm proud of my Irish heritage always and today more proud today than usual. Watch out for those French and Germans ... and keep your eye on the English too. As for the Belgians, what the heck?! Why is Belgium, such a stuffy little country, suddenly significant?

Daisy, New York , USA

For years Eastern European countries fought to be free from their undemocratic soviet bloc. No wonder there haven't been votes elsewhere, who in their right mind would want to leave one undemocratic union to join another. The EU should be about free trade and fairness, that's all.

Tom, Lichfield,

Thank God for Ireland.

Amanda Brown, Oxford, UK

Do the Eurocrats understand yet? No one is against moving towards a better future. But these seeminglgy random power grabs need explanation. We are not peaseants who will let people rules us just because they think they should. Convince us, persuade us, talk to us. Then together we can move forward.

andy, london,

We in Ireland have said 'No!' on behalf of our fellow Europeans who have been denied the right to have a say in this. We were the last station on the line, and we felt we needed to hold the train until our ½ Billion neighbours were invited on board.

John McCarthy, Maynooth, Ireland

It seems clear. People want free trade and free capital. They do not want a European State. No case has ever been made for centralisation of power beyond anti-American mumblings.

Geoff, Sydney,

Excellent results! Good on you Ireland.

George Kosinski, Grassy Creek, USA

Thank you Ireland! Need we say more?

Rod Garr, Miami, USA

I voted No but with the feeling that the Referendum would be quickly forgotten if Irish voters didn’t do as they were told by the EU and politicians and inconveniently voted Yes. The latest reports confirm my suspicion. A good day for democracy, but with overtones of how little that now matters

Richard, Ratoath, Ireland

What a farce, roughly 3 million Irish can vote for a European Treaty and the rest of 480 Million Europeans are bullied by there political Oberschicht to watch in silence.
By the Way, The EU sells its System as Democracy to the rest of the World, shame on you EU!
Thank you Irland xxx

mao tao, shanghai, china

I could not be happier.

The likes of Baroso disgust me.
I read the treaty and it is a foot in the door of central control.

The fact that Baroso is saying "business as usual" after the vote is REVOLTING.

I BELIEVE passionately about the EU as a European but will not be bullied into central control

kambiz, Pretoria, South Africa

A great day for freedom and the Irish. The Lisbon Treaty was a cloak and dagger political move to emasculate a small country, an affort to subjugate a people to the whims and fancies of a liberal EU with a Godless 'constitution '. Who could face the spectre of abortion and homosexual marriage .

thomas warner, M.D., madison, USA

We clearly need to eject Ireland from the EU and go forward without them. The EU is too important a project to let all these efforts be thrown into ruin at the last hurdle.

Liam, Stoke, UK

European "democracy" will be seen for what it is if France, U.K and others push ahead with this treaty, a myth. Changing the rules of the game half way through is becoming the Labour party's speciality.

Neil, Birmingham, U.K

hurry for the Irish ...Pox to the iluminatti and their central bankers and the sovereign stealing middle class gutting new world order

eric, selah,

"Mr Brown called both to say that Britain would comply, " It is Mr Brown who is complying on our behalf, without a mandate from the British people for this issue, or any other.

Jennifer Hynes, Plymouth, England

Why can't the Brussels gnomes take a hint. Nobody except bureaucrats and lawyers wants a unified European super-state. Besides the are far more urgent problems to solve, like global warming and Muslim extemism. The Lisbon treaty was a nightmarish non-solution in search of a problem.

Ray, Phoenix, US

I voted NO, and the sinister way in which Sarkozy and Merkel, have decided to carry on, ignoring a democratic Referendum, in favour of their own personal desire, has allowed me to see I've made the right choice.

David, Dublin,

The Irish passion for freedom, so often a thorn in British sides in the past, could well offer us an escape from the ever encircling tentacles of Brussels by causing our politicians to think again about ratification without a popular mandate.

William Epps, Broadstairs, UK

Which part of 'NO' does Brussels not understand. The result is clear and the Lisbon treaty should be dead. Brown should call an immediate referendum as was previously promised , but will no doubt 'Bottle ' it, just as he bottled an election last year and no doubt will bottle Davis 42 day challenge.

roger, swindon,

I love it!!! Bless the Irish, thank goodness they stood up and said no!!! Fight the system and the control of the masses by the political elite!!!

Erin , Vancouver,

Democracy is alive and well in Ireland. It’s a shame that the same can’t be said for the rest of Europe whose politicians have denied their citizens the right to a vote.

Jeff Morgan, Luton,