Ireland votes for fiscal pact

Voters in the Republic of Ireland have approved the EU fiscal pact.



Officials say just over 60 per cent of voters taking part in the referendum backed the controversial pact, which is aimed at enforcing budget rules in the eurozone.



Prime Minister Enda Kenny said Ireland had sent a powerful signal that it is committed to overcoming its economic challenges.



A "No" vote would not have blocked the pact, but it would have barred Ireland from emergency EU funding when its bailout package expires next year.



In late 2010, Ireland received an EU-IMF bailout worth 85 billion euros.