DUBLIN, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Irish voters approved the European Union (EU)'s Lisbon Treaty in a second referendum on Saturday with 67.1 percent in favor, paying way for the integration of the EU.

    A majority of voters in 41 of Ireland's 43 constituencies voted for the treaty in Friday's plebiscite, according to the results released by Ireland's electoral office.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso comments on the results of the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty during a news conference at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, October 3, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Irish Taoiseach Brian Cowen said credit for the result rested with the Irish people who had shown a determination to be at the center of Europe. "We will now work with all our partners in ensuring the reforms this treaty will bring are implemented."

    OVERWHELMING MAJORITY

    Ireland has voted in favor of the Lisbon Treaty by 67.13 percent to 32.87 percent, reflecting a 20.5 percent swing to the Yes side since the June 2008 referendum.

    In the first Lisbon Treaty poll, the No side secured 53.4 percent of the vote.

    Referendum returning officer Maurice Coughlan declared that the number of Yes votes was 1,214,268 and that 594,606 had voted No.

Votes are counted for the Lisbon Treaty referendum at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) in Dublin, Ireland. October 3, 2009. Irish voters appear to have backed the European Union's Lisbon reform treaty, government and opposition officials said on Saturday.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Of the 43 constituencies, only Donegal North East and Donegal South West voted against the Lisbon Treaty, and national turnout is 59 percent, higher than the 53.13 percent for the first referendum.

    Dublin South recorded the highest support for the treaty, with 82 percent of ballots in favor. This was closely followed by Dn Laoghaire, which had an 81 percent Yes vote.

Irish Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny (L) celebrates with supporters after the Lisbon Treaty get passed in Dublin, Ireland, on Oct. 3, 2009. Irish voters approved the European Union (EU)'s Lisbon Treaty in the second referendum on Saturday with 67.1 percent in favor, paying way for the integration of the EU. (Xinhua/Wang Yahong) Photo Gallery>>>

    Across all 12 Dublin constituencies support for the treaty was 69 percent, with a turnout of 59.3 percent.

    The observers said the result represents the highest Yes vote in a referendum on Europe since the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, and the turnout was the highest in a European referendum since the original vote on joining the then EEC in 1972.