Just short of 80 per cent of voters in Friday's referendum on citizenship voted in favour of amending the constitution, according to official figures published early this morning.
Out of 1.4 million voters, over 1 million endorsed the change while 375,000 voted against. Figures show over 60 per cent of the electorate voted - an unusually high turn-out for a referendum.
Officially, the figures are provisional until the Master of the High Court confirms there have been no appeals or that any appeal is void. Complainants have seven days to appeal after the official Provisional Referendum Certificate is published in Iris Oifigiúil on Tuesday.
While Government parties appear not to have not fared well in the local elections - counting for which continues today - the referendum result will provide much consolation.
The Minister for Justice Mr McDowell, in particular feels his position vinidicated after being accused of using the referendum for election purposes and fomenting racism.
Last night, the minister said opponents had used "pernicious language" during the campaign.
Labour's justice spokesman Mr Joe Costello whose party opposed the amendment, said this morning the Government had "put the cart before the horse" by addressing constitutional matters before formulating a comprehensive immigration policy.
"It would have made far more sense to have drawn up a comprehensive immigration policy and then considered whether or not any constitutional change was required," Mr Costello said.