Irish citizens have voted against a new European Union reform treaty.

The vote is expected to send shock waves throughout the EU.

The treaty would create the offices of EU president and foreign minister, and make other changes to the union after it doubled in size over the last four years.

The treaty has to be approved by every one of the union's 27 nations.

But only Ireland let its citizens vote on the treaty.

Irish voters opposed an EU government they felt could hurt their independence.

Governments approved it in other countries.

Now the EU can try for a new constitution, or ask ireland for another vote.