The Irish Government is to push European leaders to slash the cost of its crippling bank bailout after it secured resounding support for the fiscal treaty.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he raised the issue of the multibillion rescue in several phone calls with EU chiefs, including Germany’s Angela Merkel, once the referendum result was confirmed.

After securing a confident 60 per cent majority in the popular vote Mr Kenny said the bailout for bust banks – more than €46bn – must now be included in wider efforts to kick start the European economy.

“Ireland’s banking debt must form part of that solution,” he said.

One of his junior ministers, Brian Hayes, insisted the focus was on the €34bn burden left behind by rogue lender Anglo-Irish Bank.

Five of Ireland’s 43 constituencies rejected the treaty plan for tighter budgetary control from Brussels including both electoral regions of Donegal and three others in Dublin, one of which is home to two senior government figures, Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte and Mr Hayes.

Sinn Féin claimed some credit for forcing a strong No vote but failed to secure a success in party president Gerry Adams’ backyard of Co Louth. And the splits in support around the country were widely seen as highlighting a growing class divide with many of the more affluent areas showing strong backing for the treaty while traditionally working class areas of Dublin and Cork came out against the pact.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, Ireland’s deputy prime minister and Labour leader who has seen support for the party diminish in opinion polls this year, also backed the Taoiseach’s call for a debt deal.

“This was not just an exercise – asking people to vote Yes – it was also an occasion where we listened to what people where saying,” he said.

The Tánaiste, whose Dun Laoghaire constituency south of Dublin saw the second highest support for the treaty, added: “We do need to have a deal in relation to our bank debt. We do need to see progress upon it.”

The first opportunity for the treaty success and the potential for a growth pact to be discussed will be later this month at an informal European summit.

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso praised the successful passage of the treaty referendum.

“Ireland has established a strong track record in implementing its EU/IMF financial programme. Today’s vote represents a significant step towards Ireland’s economic recovery and its place at the heart of the EU,” he said.

Declan Ganley, founder of the Libertas group which successfully campaigned against the Lisbon treaty in 2008, claimed many Yes voters did so through gritted teeth.

“It’s going to be a long hot summer in European markets, and a lot is going to happen,” said Mr Ganley.

His assessment was also supported by the director of elections for the Fine Gael party, Simon Coveney. Mr Kenny said he raised the banking crisis directly with the German Chancellor and he also discussed it with French president Francois Hollande, Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy, Mr Barroso and president of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy.

He said the Yes vote gives the Government the power to negotiate more strongly on the issue of bank debt.

“This is an issue which I regard as Ireland having sent a message that we understand is a problem,” he said.

“Ireland will participate very strongly in this debate as this is the only country that has actually had a direct result through the ballot box.”

The final figures from the referendum count showed a total of 955,091 votes in favour of the referendum compared with 629,088 against the agreement.

It was the fifth time since 2000 that Irish voters have been asked to accept European reforms in a popular vote – twice they rejected the plans forcing a referendum re-run.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny (left) and Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore hold a press conference at Government Buildings in Dublin after the result of the EU Fiscal treaty Referendum. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Ireland was the only country in Europe holding a referendum as it is obliged to put major EU reforms to the public test, according to the Constitution.

The treaty will come into effect with the support of 12 states, which now looks certain, with ratification already complete in three countries and under way in another six.

Twenty five of the 27 European Union states have accepted the text of the treaty, with the exception of the UK and Czech Republic.

The objective of the treaty is also to keep a control on deficits and ensure greater checks and balances are in place for money in and out of each country. end

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has strongly criticised no vote proponents. (Pic: PA)

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has accused left-wing campaigners of employing “lunatic economics” for saying Ireland could do without the euro if a “No” vote in the referendum led to the collapse of the currency.

The Labour leader criticised People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett following the launch of his party’s anti-treaty campaign on the European fiscal compact.

Mr Boyd Barrett said Britain and other states within Europe do well without the single currency, pointing out that some of the biggest multi-national US companies are based in the UK.

The Dun Laoghaire TD also accused European bailout masters of making hollow threats to withhold emergency funds if Ireland rejects the treaty, saying they would never risk Ireland going under and dragging the euro with it.

The Tánaiste described the remarks as irresponsible and incredible.

“The euro is our own currency, it is the money in our pocket,” said Mr Gilmore.

“It’s lunatic economics to suggest you collapse your own currency – nobody in their right mind suggests that – the impact of that for our workers, for our services, for our country.

“We need to take the sensible and responsible route in relation to our currency. A ‘Yes’ vote would ensure our currency is stable.”

The attack came after Finance Minister Michael Noonan was under fire for warning that a ‘No’ vote could result in a dramatically tougher budget in 2013.

Despite being accused of using bully-boy tactics and scare-mongering, the minister insisted he stood by his comments.

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Enda Kenny appealed to the opponents of the European treaty to be truthful to the electorate in their campaigns.

“I hope that those who propose a ‘No’ vote here are factual and truthful about the issues that arise from this treaty,” said Mr Kenny.

“I don’t want to see any more deliberate obstructions of the truth which are designed to mislead people about what this treaty is about.”

Meanwhile, Mr Boyd Barrett suggested the government should try to grow its way out of the economic crisis instead of making cuts, which he argued was an inevitable part of ratifying the treaty.

He said ministers should repudiate private debts owed through the banks – to different financial institutions and bondholders – to help plug the deficit.

He also suggested a five per cent wealth tax and levies on individuals earning more than €100,000 a year, and taxes on assets, excluding the family home, over the value of one million. This, he claimed, could help bring in up to €10bn a year.

Mr Boyd Barrett said Ireland could survive if it were cast out of the eurozone for rejecting the treaty. He also said he is confident that if Ireland needed help, funding would be available for a revised bailout.

“Whether we’re in or out of the euro is not the issue,” said Mr Boyd Barrett. “I don’t believe for a second Europe will risk the collapse of the euro.”

Referendum polling day takes place on May 31 and the count on June 1.

The Referendum Commission will kick off its independent and impartial information campaign tomorrow, outlining the facts of the treaty.

If ratified, those in favour have argued the fiscal deal will see stricter budgetary rules imposed to achieve a balance between money in and money spent.

It will also, they claim, ensure Ireland has access to emergency funds in event of another crisis, as well as bringing about stability to the nation and making it attractive to foreign investors.

Opponents argue it will result in further austerity and plunge Ireland into another recession.