Ireland: EU fiscal pact set to be given thumbs up

18:09, 1 June 2012

PARIS. June 1. KAZINFORM Counting is underway in Ireland, where a referendum has put the European Union's new fiscal treaty to the public vote.

According to government officials, it is likely to be supported by a margin of more than three to two. Official results are not due to be announced until later on Friday, the euronews reports.

The support is good news for Prime Minister Enda Kenny who has campaigned hard for the "yes" camp.

Ireland's the only EU member that has put the pact to a referendum.

Sin Fein's Gerry Adams had been urging a "no" vote. He believes the austerity measures in the pact are not proving to be an effective way of tackling the economic crisis, that has engulfed much of the eurozone.

However, opposition would mean Ireland would not get any more emergency funds from the EU beyond the current bailout package which runs until next year.