EU backs plan for Ireland to retain post
THE European Commission chief last night backed the idea of allowing Ireland and other member states retain a permanent European Commissioner.
President Jose Manuel Barroso said he was "convinced" the concerns of Irish voters who rejected the Lisbon Treaty could be met, and signalled that a rerun of the treaty would take place between June and December 2009.
Last night, there was renewed speculation that October or November was the preferred month for a second referendum.
"I think it should not be a problem to have a commission with 27 members or more," Mr Barroso said yesterday ahead of the crunch European Summit tomorrow and Friday.
"We have empirical evidence it is possible for a commission to work with 27 members. . . If it is a very important condition for Ireland I will support it."
On the question of a second referendum, Mr Barroso said next year's European elections would "most likely" be held under the Nice Treaty, thereby signalling that a rerun will not take place before June.
His comments follow a meeting with Taoiseach Brian Cowen last week, as part of his series of meetings with several major European leaders.
Yesterday, the Taoiseach briefed the Cabinet on the series of bilateral meetings, and also commenced a round of phonecalls to the Dutch, Poles, Italians, Spanish and Slovakians to discuss the Lisbon Treaty impasse.
Central to the Government's bid to find the "elements of a solution" is the necessity to obtain legally binding declarations, and an agreement on retaining a commissioner.
Under the rejected Lisbon Treaty, the number of European Commissioners would decrease with each country assuming a portfolio on a rotational basis.
While this option is preferred by countries such as Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, the Taoiseach hopes to convince a majority of member states to retain the current system.
Last night's comments by Mr Barroso will have massively boosted the Government's confidence ahead of tomorrow's summit.
"I am convinced that we can respond to [Irish] national concerns, while finding a European solution," he said. "The overriding goal of the EU council must be to set out a credible way forward, which will enable Ireland to ratify [the treaty]."
- ine Kerr Political Correspondent
