Ireland has voted "yes" to the Nice Treaty in a move which paves the way for the enlargement of the European Union.

Irish premier Bertie Ahern welcomed what he described as an "emphatic yes" for the Nice Treaty.

Following the referendum, Brussels will now press ahead with the accession of 10 new countries, including Cyprus, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

The final result was expected to show a 62.8 per cent vote in favour of the treaty.

Early results from seven constituencies where electronic voting was used revealed an 18 per cent swing in favour of the treaty compared to last year's referendum.

Last year only two of over 40 constituencies voted "yes" - although it is now thought that the country will vote overwhelmingly for the treaty which delivers EU enlargement.

The voters in Tipperary South opted for 65 per cent "yes" vote and just under 35 per cent voted "no".

The leader of the Green Party, John Gormley, has conceded defeat following the first results.

"I think it is very clear now the Yes side have a resounding victory. I had predicted a 60-40 win for them on trends I witnessed in the past week, and it is unfortunately going to be the case," he said.

"There are a number of factors for this. There was, I think, a huge guilt trip, a certain intimidation - and a lot of money as well."

Sinn Fein's Sean Crowe said: "It's a disappointment, but the people have decided."