THE political establishment breathed a collective sigh of relief last night as the country resoundingly endorsed the Lisbon Treaty with a 67% Yes vote at the second time of asking.

The comprehensive 2:1 victory, on a large turnout of almost 60%, removes the biggest stumbling block to the ratification of the treaty and was greeted warmly by the President of the EU Commission José Manuel Barroso. Wearing a green tie for the occasion, Barroso declared: "Thank you, Ireland", adding it was a "great day for Ireland and a great day for Europe".

Although government ministers were quick to accept the Yes vote was in no way an endorsement of the government, the result will come as a huge morale boost to Brian Cowen after a traumatic 15 months since the first referendum loss.

A second Lisbon defeat would have undermined his authority as Taoiseach as well as raising serious questions about Ireland's future role at the heart of the EU.

However, from the moment the first ballot boxes were opened yesterday morning, it was clear the Yes side were on course for a massive victory.

Of the 43 constituencies, all bar two – Donegal South-West and Donegal North-East – delivered a Yes vote. This compares with just 10 constituencies voting Yes last year. There was a massive nationwide swing of 20.53% in favour of the treaty.

The biggest Yes votes came in Dublin South and Dún Laoghaire – in both constituencies over 80% of the electorate backed the referendum. In some areas of those constituencies, support levels were running at 95%.

Commenting on the result, the Taoiseach said the Irish people had spoken "in a clear and resounding voice" and that "we as a nation have taken a decisive step" towards securing a better Europe.

"Today, we've done the right thing for our future and our children's future," he added.

Cowen paid tribute to the main opposition parties stating they had "put the nation ahead of party politics and I thank them for that".

He also thanked the civil society groups for their role in backing the treaty and concluded by saying the result was a "declaration of intent by the people of Ireland to remain at the centre of Europe".

The collapse in support for the No side will come as a massive disappointment to anti-Lisbon campaigners, particularly Sinn Féin, the only party in the Dáil to oppose the treaty. Its vice-president Mary Lou McDonald claimed the Yes campaign had won by pushing a dishonourable and depressing message to people.

However, the comprehensive result is likely to prompt further debate within the party in relation to its attitude to Europe.

Another of the leaders of the anti-Lisbon campaign Declan Ganley claimed the Yes side had run a "dishonest campaign" and said he was "not going to be gracious about it".

However, he went out of his way to pay tribute to the Taoiseach stating it was a "masterful campaign by a masterful politician". He said Cowen had made "vassals of the opposition".

Attention will now quickly turn to who Cowen will appoint to the key role of EU Commissioner. Pat Cox, who played a central role in the campaign, is the hot favourite, but it remains to be seen if the Taoiseach will countenance giving the job to a non-Fianna Fáil person.

Health minister Mary Harney declined to rule herself in or out of the job yesterday, but the government's slender majority in the Dáil will almost certainly deny her the job. Former MEP Eoin Ryan has also been linked to the job but, if Cowen opts to go for a member of the opposition, Labour's Ruairi Quinn could come into the picture.