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He added: “The argument for a referendum in Britain is now overwhelming.”

A man swallows 27 swords decorated with the flags of the EU countries

Downing Street declined to comment on reports that the Prime Minister had called French president Nicolas Sarkozy to assure him that British ratification would continue.

Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan hailed the apparent rejection of the treaty as a “victory for Ireland and for Irish democracy”.

A tram passes by graffiti calling for a No vote

“People have defied the hectoring and bullying of almost all their political parties, almost all the Irish media, and political leaders from across Europe,” he said.

“They have struck a blow for freedom throughout Europe. Truly, today, we are all Irish.”

A man reads an evening newspaper in Dublin

Supporters of the Irish referendum say the vote was essential to streamline decision-making after the EU’s expansion to 27 member states.

As all 27 states must ratify the document, prominent eurosceptics have pronounced the treaty dead.

Sceptic David Heathcoat-Amory insisted today the Government must “go back to the drawing board” and respect the voters of Holland, France and Ireland.

“Of course (ratification) must be halted,” the Tory MP told BBC Radio 4.

“The Bill before the British Parliament must be withdrawn because under the European Union’s own laws this cannot proceed now. The Lisbon Treaty is dead."

Just over three million Irish voters are registered in a European Union of 490 million people.

In 2001, Irish voters almost ruined EU plans to expand eastwards when they rejected the Nice treaty. This was later  passed in a much-criticised second vote.

There were 862,415 No votes to 752,451 Yes votes. Turnout was 53.1 per cent.


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