All eyes will be on Ireland today as votes are counted from yesterday's referendum that may well seal Europe's future.

Three million people were eligible to vote in the second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty held by Ireland in less than 15 months and the final result is not expected before late afternoon.

The first referendum's negative outcome had plunged the EU into deep institutional crisis, derailing the new treaty which streamlines the work of an enlarged EU and allows the possibility of further expansion.

However, the treaty's text was later amended to ease the worries of the Irish electorate. The changes included some benefits to Malta, such as giving every member state the right to nominate a Commissioner on the EU executive, something which was not guaranteed in the treaty's first text.

The outcome of yesterday's poll is expected to be positive with various opinion polls giving the "yes" vote a comfortable edge.

However, nothing is being taken for granted and members of the Irish government, including Prime Minister Brian Cowen, yesterday continued to urge people to vote.

"I am appealing to every person in this country who believes Ireland and Europe are better together to help achieve a 'yes' vote," he said.

A "yes" will mean the EU will be a step closer to introducing the new treaty, possibly by the beginning of next year. However, the treaty still needs the signature of the eurosceptic Czech President Vaclav Klaus and the endorsement of the Polish Parliament. Malta and 23 other EU member states have already ratified.