TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen said that the No vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum made Ireland more vulnerable to losing its EU commissioner.
"The one thing we are sure of is that there is a stronger treaty provision for losing a commissioner now than there was if you voted Yes,'' he said.
He claimed the commissioner issue was "one of the great falsehoods, I suppose, one of the great ironies of the debate . . . the idea if you vote No you will keep your commissioner . . ."
He insisted that there was no legal basis for making the point on posters which had proclaimed: "Vote No and keep your commissioner''.
Mr Cowen was replying to Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, who asked if it was possible to renegotiate a scenario where every state would have a commissioner.
The Taoiseach said that the treaty could not be ratified unless all states agreed to the ratification.
He said he would stress to his colleagues on the European Council that the Government was entering a process of extensive consultation, both domestically and with its EU partners, in the aftermath of the Lisbon Treaty referendum.
"I will welcome the initial message of solidarity that was apparent at the meeting of the general affairs and external relations council yesterday," he added.
"I also will take the opportunity to restate to the council my views that the vote does not mean Ireland is turning away from the EU or that it implies a desire to stand aside from engagement with our EU partners."
Mr Cowen said that he would stress that the people had spoken and that the Government accepted the result.
"I will also emphasise the need for all of the EU and its member states, not just Ireland, to reflect on what such a vote means and to play their part in working together to examine the possible ways forward.
"As to their wish to understand the reasons for the result of our referendum, I will, to the best of my ability, reflect the range and depth of the debate and the main issues which featured in it. I will stress that it is far too early yet to draw conclusions but that the Government will take the time required to take stock of all the elements that may have contributed to the outcome.
"I will also stress the need to consider what has happened and its implications in a calm, constructive and collective manner. I will underline that there can be no question of hasty answers or quick fixes."
Mr Cowen agreed to an Opposition request that the House debate the outcome of the referendum again today.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny raised the issue of the performance of the Referendum Commission during the campaign.
"I do not mean any disrespect to the eminent persons serving on the commission, but there was a number of moments which did not help the treaty campaign in terms of explanation and objectivity," said Mr Kenny.
Mr Cowen said that the commission had acquitted itself well throughout the campaign.
"Some issues were raised during a press conference and certain questions that were asked did not get an immediate answer.
"Obviously, the commission was insisting on getting an accurate answer out, providing it was to the best of its ability at that time.
"In fairness to the Referendum Commission, its objectivity has never been in question. It performed its functions to the best of its ability, in line with the mandate it had.
"I do not wish to engage in any criticism whatsoever of the Referendum Commission."
