European leaders say they have no "plan B" if the treaty is rejected
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Early unofficial vote tallies around Ireland are indicating a strong showing for the No vote in a referendum on the European Union's Lisbon Treaty.
In Irish polls, tally counters in each constituency watch votes being sorted and make their own count, giving early indications of how a vote is going.
Broadcaster RTE reports the No vote is ahead, but the Yes side has regained some ground as the day progresses.
A No vote would scupper the EU treaty, which must be ratified by all members.
The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Dublin says a rejection of the treaty which streamlines decision making in the now expanded EU could plunge the bloc into crisis.
All 27 member states have to ratify the treaty for it to take effect, but only Ireland has held a public vote on it.
'Fingers crossed'
European leaders have said that they have no "plan B" for how to proceed if Ireland's electorate does vote No.
"If the Irish people decide to reject the treaty of Lisbon, naturally, there will be no treaty of Lisbon," French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said on Thursday night.
"From what I hear, it is not looking good," Europe Minister Dick Roche said after state broadcaster RTE said that the Yes vote was "in difficulty".
"It is not good. But I am keeping my fingers crossed, it might come right later in the day," Mr Roche added.
Turnout is said to have been about 45%. Commentators had predicted that a low turnout figure would suggest a rejection.
Our correspondent says that many voters seem to have voted No for the simple reason that they did not understand the treaty, despite a high-profile Yes campaign led by Prime Minister Brian Cowen which had the support of most of the country's main parties.
The treaty, which is designed to help the EU cope with its expansion into eastern Europe, provides for a streamlining of the European Commission, the removal of the national veto in more policy areas, a new president of the European Council and a strengthened foreign affairs post.
Fourteen countries have completed ratification so far.
A message for Brussels
The Lisbon Treaty replaces a more ambitious draft constitution that was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
Just over three million Irish voters are registered - in a European Union of 490 million people.
In 2001, Irish voters almost wrecked EU plans to expand eastwards when they rejected the Nice treaty. It was only passed in a much-criticised second vote.
Many reportedly voted No because they did not understand the treaty
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This time the No campaign was a broad coalition ranging from lobby group Libertas to Sinn Fein, the only party in parliament to oppose the treaty.
Prime Minister Brian Cowen accused the No camp of "misrepresentation", saying voters had voiced concern about "issues that clearly weren't in the treaty at all", the Irish Times reported.
Declan Ganley of the anti-treaty group Libertas said he hoped a No vote would send "a clear message to Brussels" about democracy. "The voice of the Irish people is not to be questioned," he added.
Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, urged all EU states to back the treaty, which is due to come into force on 1 January 2009.
He said the reforms would strengthen the EU to meet global challenges.
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