THERE WERE no instructions to Government officials to minimise the prospect of a referendum in the Republic when negotiating Europe’s new fiscal treaty, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said.

Mr Kenny said the officials, who had worked intensely with those from other countries since Christmas, had no mandate to frustrate anybody’s democratic rights.

“What they were given was a mandate to maximise Ireland’s interests,” he added.

The Taoiseach was replying to Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald, who referred to an article in The Irish Times in which a high-level European official had said the treaty had been specifically crafted to minimise the prospect of a referendum in Ireland.

She said Mr Kenny’s line had been that a referendum would be held if it was necessary and he had repeatedly said he had nothing to fear from having one.

“What we are looking at here is another example of you having one message for the domestic audience but saying something quite different at a European level,” she added. “We saw this carry-on in Davos and we see it again.” Ms McDonald accused the Taoiseach of trying to “spoof the people” by referring the treaty to the Attorney General.

“In reality what he has tried to create is a pre-cooked deal,” she said.

Ms McDonald asked if Mr Kenny had left his green jersey behind when negotiating the treaty, and if the Government and its officials had colluded with other governments and EU institutions.

Mr Kenny said the Government did not deal with anonymous people or anonymous reports.

"The reporter for The Irish Timesis a very good reporter and a responsible person," he added.

“I have no idea in the world as to who the official he refers to, or the quoted comments.”

The Taoiseach said that if the report were true, it would show that Ireland had enormous influence in Europe.

“The deputy cannot have it both ways,” he added.

Ms McDonald said Ireland had exerted influence in Europe only when the people had an opportunity to vote in a referendum.