Polling stations across the country have closed following what has been described as a relatively low voter turnout in most parts of the country for today’s referendums.
Earlier today voting was reported as slow in the referendums to ratify the Nice Treaty, abolish the death penalty and introduce legislation to facilitate the International Criminal Court.
However, the numbers picked up in some constituencies this evening, with Dublin Central reporting a turnout of approximately 40 per cent.
Cork constituencies were reporting an average turnout of approximately 28 per cent, while Kildare reported a 15 to 20 per cent turnout.
In the last referenedum on Europe, on the Amsterdam Treaty, there was a 56 per cent turnout.
The President, Mrs Mary McAleese, was among the first to vote this morning, and the Taoiseach Mr Ahern cast his votes in Drumcondra at 10 a.m. Mr Ahern said he was "very hopeful" of a Yes result in all three polls and urged people to exercise their democratic right.
A Yes vote in the Nice referendum would enable a number of reforms of EU decision-making processes that the treaty's supporters say are necessary before new members join the EU.
Campaigners against Nice hope rejection will lead to a renegotiation of treaty provisions they object to, or some formula allowing Ireland to opt out of these.