Ireland ratified the Lisbon Treaty after a whopping 67 percent of the Irish population voted in its favor.

The resounding win comes as welcome news for the Irish government, who were under some pressure after the country voted 'no' the last time out.

The Lisbon Treaty, named after the city where it was drafted, proposes changes in how the EU will be run, by increasing the decision making powers of the European parliament and giving more voting power to the Council of Ministers.

The Irish public rejected the Treaty at the first referendum on June 12, 2008, and the positive result today will boost the beleaguered Irish administration, which will now turn its attention to the forthcoming budget and NAMA.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin was a happy man after the early counts.

"I'm delighted for the country and it looks like a convincing win for Ireland," he told RTE.

"I do passionately believe that our future is with the European Union and there was no real reason to vote no."