Ireland seems to have backed the Lisbon Treaty giving thumbs up to the the European Union reforms at the Friday's poll.

"I am delighted for the country. It looks like a convincing win for the 'Yes' side on this occasion," Foreign Minister Micheal Martin told national radio, as cited by BGNES.

Many voters were thought more likely to back the treaty second time around because of the economic crisis, during which EU aid has helped curb its impact.

“It looks like a “Yes” vote. I want to sympathize and commiserate with all our people who put in a great effort for the love of their country... We are extremely disappointed that the voice of the people was not heard the first time around”, Richard Greene, a spokesman for the Coir group which opposed the treaty, said.

State radio RTE reported that early tallies from counting centers showed constituencies such as Dublin Central and Dublin North East had voted 56 percent in favor while in Galway city early indications put the “Yes” vote at 63 percent.

The vote followed warnings from celebrities, politicians and business leaders that a second "No," after a rejection last year, would ruin Ireland's reputation as it battles recession.

Irish approval would put pressure on the eurosceptic leaders of Poland and the Czech Republic to ratify the treaty, which would give the EU a long-term president and stronger foreign policy chief.

President Lech Kaczynski of Poland has said he is willing to ratify the charter if Ireland votes "Yes."

But Czech President Vaclav Klaus could delay his approval to await a ruling on a constitutional complaint filed by 17 senators against the treaty.

Many political analysts expect Klaus will be forced by heavy EU pressure to sign the treaty into law before the end of 2009, helping the bloc create a bigger role as the global balance of power shifts following the global financial crisis.

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