‘Period of reflection’ needed after treaty vote - Ahern

Ireland is beginning an ‘‘extended period of reflection’’ over the future of Europe, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today.

He told fellow EU leaders meeting in Gothenburg that it was too soon to work out how to reverse the Irish referendum result, which rejected the Treaty of Nice and effectively vetoed enlargement from 15 to 27 member states in the next few years.

But he said his country was firmly in favour of enlargement and blamed the embarrassing ‘‘no’’ on ‘‘a widespread sense of disconnection between the institutions of the Union and its citizens’’.

There was plenty of support and sympathy at the summit for Ireland’s plight, but also a sense of urgency about sending positive signals to a dozen central and eastern European countries eagerly anticipating union membership and now fearful of a wider revolt from euro-sceptics.

Mr Ahern said: ‘‘The ‘No’ vote should not be interpreted as a vote against enlargement.

‘‘Indeed, most of the leading ‘No’ campaigners were at pains to say that they supported enlargement.

He said it was already clear that the negative result went far beyond the terms of the Treaty of Nice.

‘‘There is frustration at what is sometimes seen as an absence of clarity, openness and responsiveness in how the union goes about its business.

‘‘There is a real and urgent need to focus on how we can make the union more meaningful to our citizens and on how its democratic accountability can be strengthened.’’

Mr Ahern said it was too early to talk about how to resolve a difficult situation and insisted: ‘‘We genuinely need, at national level, an extended period of reflection.

‘‘I have announced a national forum on Europe. I hope this will allow for more systematic and extensive debate on the EU and its future direction.’’

The Treaty of Nice must be ratified by all 15 EU governments for enlargement to go ahead, but governments have until the end of next year to complete the process.

In effect, Ireland must stage the referendum again, but only after a frantic high-profile promotions job which the Irish government will conduct in the next few months.

Prime Minister Tony Blair’s official spokesman said: ‘‘The Prime Minister is a keen champion of enlargement. It is important for European prosperity, job and trade.

‘‘Everyone now wants to look at what help and reassurance can be given to address the concerns expressed during the Irish referendum campaign.

The solution would not be found in rewording the Treaty of Nice text - that had been firmly ruled out.

But he added: ‘‘Protocol clearly stating that Irish neutrality is not affected by the Treaty’s provisions on setting up a new defence capability to complement Nato might be a solution.’’

Meanwhile the summit was today attempting to set out a clear timetable for enlargement with the aim of completing all negotiations with the candidates by the end of 2002 so that they can join in time to field politicians in the European Parliament elections in 2004.

Mr Blair’s spokesman said: ‘‘We want to be in a position to enable the first wave of candidates to come in in 2004.’’

By then, it is hoped, Ireland’s shock referendum result will be a fading memory.

The Nice Treaty, agreed by EU leaders last December, is vital because it makes major changes to the running of the EU - changes without which a 27-national bloc would be too unwieldy, risking deadlock and paralysis.

The Treaty increases the voting power of the bigger countries, including the UK, reduces the number of commissioners, limits the number of Euro-MPs, brings in more majority voting when EU governments make decisions, allows some countries to move more ahead than others if they wish on certain policies, and gives the EU a limited defence role.

But EU Treaty changes must be ratified by all member states: Denmark has already done so.

Only Ireland put the issue to a referendum because the best legal advice available to the government was that it was legally required to do so on constitutional matters, foreign minister Brian Cowan said.