The Taoiseach and the Tanaiste have said they are still committed to the Nice Treaty and to European enlargement despite today's referendum defeat.
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Mr Ahern said that it was a time for reflection and the Government would not be coming to any hasty conclusions about the next steps.Speaking outside Government buildings after the vote was declared this evening, he said: "The people have spoken and we have to listen."
However, he said that the result would be entirely unhelpful to the enlargement process.
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Ms Harney, shared the view of the Taoiseach that it was a very disappointing result.
"Today is a day to accept genuinely and honestly the outcome that has been expressed by the people," she said adding: "I believe enlargement will guarantee that Europe remains a union of independent nation states."
Earlier, Mr Trevor Sargent, of the Green Party said: "this result does not hold up enlargement for one second.
"Enlargement of up to five countries can go ahead under Amsterdam and there are only about three countries, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Hungary,that are anywhere near ready at the moment.
Sinn Féin President Mr Gerry Adams claimed the No campaign had won the argument and that "there needs to be a renegotiation of the Nice Treaty."
EU Commissioner Mr David Byrne admitted that today's result showed "we all need to do more to explain what is taking place in the EU and to have a greater involvement of the public in the debate on the future direction of the Union."
Mr Byrne added that he did not believe that the Irish people wished to stand in the way of enlarging the Union. "I would be confident that, with sufficient reflection, consideration and assurance, the Irish people will in time be in a position to endorse the enlargement of the EU," he said.
Fine Gael's director of elections Mr Jim O'Keeffe said he was disappointment at the outcome of the referendum adding the Government had taken the electorate for granted.
He said the Government campaign was "weak and incoherent, relying almost completely on a media campaign and there was virtually no campaign on the ground to highlight the merits of the treaty and the benefits of enlargement."
Mr Roger Cole of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance dismissed claims that the low turnout indicated voter confusion and therefore caution in voting.
"We fought a No campaign, a very strong campaign at that and the electorate voted No. It's as simple as that. We've won it this time but on other occasions we've had to accept defeat but its nice to win it, he said".