Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE group leader in the European Parliament, commenting from Brussels on the outcome of the second Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty said:
"Today is a beautiful day for Europe. With the Irish YES, all the citizens of Europe, directly or indirectly, said YES to the Lisbon Treaty. Today is the first day of a new future for Europe, united, democratic, effective and strong. "
With this new Treaty the European Union will be able to tackle important problems such as the financial and economic crisis in a more European, coherent and effective way. We will be able to speak with one voice in the world and to provide the answers our citizens need."
"Europe is not the cause, but the solution to the problems we are facing today. This is why we started the reform process eight years ago with the Declaration of Laeken - to make a larger Union also a more effective, democratic and transparent Union."
"Now is the time to bring this process to an end and begin the hard work our citizens expect of us. I now expect that everyone takes up their responsibility so that the Lisbon Treaty can enter into force as soon as possible. "
"Finally I wish to congratulate and thank all the people who campaigned in favour of the Treaty, especially the Ireland for Europe platform and the Irish government, who both did a wonderful job."
Andrew Duff (UK, Lib Dems), ALDE spokesperson on constitutional affairs added:
"By ratifying the Lisbon treaty the Irish people have ensured that their interests and aspirations will always be articulated where it matters, at the centre of European affairs. Ireland has clearly and decisively added its weight to the building of a stronger, more effective and more democratic European Union.
"Now all 27 countries have taken their own democratic decisions to back EU reform. No further delay can be tolerated in bringing the treaty into force as quickly and efficiently as possible."
My Liberal Democrat colleagues in Ireland, led by Pat The Cope Gallagher, Marian Harkin and Pat Cox, have played a leading role in the long tough fight to counter untruths and to fight nationalist prejudice. They are all heroes."
