BRITISH REACTION:THE CONSERVATIVES last night hailed the Irish No vote as "a great day for Britain and the peoples of Europe" and demanded an immediate halt to British ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
However, foreign secretary David Milliband has insisted that the parliamentary process would press ahead to its intended conclusion next week.
Mr Milliband said that while it was important to respect the Irish result, there should also be "a British view" on the treaty as expressed in the ratification Bill. It is due to receive its third reading in the House of Lords within days.
"I think it is right that we follow the view that each country must see the ratification process to a conclusion," Mr Milliband said. "I believe it is right that we continue with our process and take up the Irish offer of further discussions about the next steps forward."
Conservative leader David Cameron said he was "delighted with the news" from Dublin, while his foreign affairs spokesman William Hague said: "The British government must respect the Irish people's verdict. Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in parliament must be stopped immediately.
"The Irish people have spoken and they have made clear that they do not want a treaty that takes so many powers from the countries of Europe and gives it to distant institutions in Brussels.
"Despite all the threats that have been made," Mr Hague continued, "they have had the courage to make their own decision. They deserve Europe's admiration and congratulations.
"Alone in Europe they have had the chance to make their views known. If democracy is to mean anything, their decision must be respected. The Republic of Ireland's voters must carry no less weight than the Dutch and French."
Ahead of yesterday's result, Downing Street had made it clear that prime minister Gordon Brown would not comment until after he had discussed the outcome with Taoiseach Brian Cowen.