Did Ireland vote against the Lisbon Treaty?

The first referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon held on 12 June 2008 was rejected by the Irish electorate, by a margin of 53.4% to 46.6%, with a turnout of 53%. The second referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon held on 2 October 2009 and the proposal was approved by 67.1% to 32.9%, with a turnout of 59%.

When was the Irish EU referendum?

As part of the enactment of the bill, a referendum was held on 12 June 2008. The proposal was defeated by 53.4% to 46.6%, with a turnout of 53.1%. Ireland was the only EU member state that held public referendums on the Treaty.

How do referendums work in Ireland?

A simple majority of votes cast is sufficient to carry an amendment, with no minimum turnout required for a constitutional referendum to be considered valid. The vote is conducted by secret ballot. A proposal to amend the constitution put to a referendum must not contain any other proposal.

How does a constitutional referendum work in Ireland?

If the Bill is passed by both the Dáil and the Seanad it is then submitted to the people in a constitutional referendum, so that they can vote for or against it. If the majority of the votes cast at the referendum are in favour of the change, the President signs the Bill into law and the Constitution is then amended.

When was the last time Ireland had a referendum?

The electorate passed the three million mark for the first time in 2004 and was up in the latest referendums (October 2011) by 1.5 million from the first Referendum in 1959. There is a website dedicated to the Constitution of Ireland which contains the text of the Constitution and other information.

Can a constitution be amended in a referendum?

The Constitution can only be amended if the proposed amendment has been approved by the people of Ireland in a referendum. A referendum gives the people the opportunity to express their opinion and vote for or against the proposed amendment.

What happens if the referendum is not in favour of the change?

If the majority of the votes cast at the referendum are in favour of the change, the President signs the Bill into law and the Constitution is then amended. If the majority of the votes cast at the referendum are not in favour of the change, the Bill is not signed into law and the Constitution is not amended.