There is strong support among the public for retaining an Irish place on the European Commission, according to a new report. The document was based on consultations held in eight locations last month by the European Movement Ireland.
The size and composition of the commission will be among the topics discussed at this weekend's informal summit of EU leaders at Biarritz. Commenting on the report published yesterday, the European Movement said those invited to take part in their series of consultations represented "a wide variety of sectors and interests". While the general reaction to the proposed enlargement of the EU was very positive, "the majority of participants demanded that Ireland be permitted to retain its commissioner".
Participants recognised each Commissioner's obligation to act impartially but nevertheless there was "a strong belief that Ireland would be `under-represented' without a commissioner".
"There is a belief among citizens that they are not being fully informed by national Government of vital concerns in the EU. There is concern that the public is being bypassed or brushed aside," the report added.
There were no indications in Dublin of any shift in the Government's policy of one commissioner per member-state, which has been repeatedly set out by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen.
Dublin sees the commission as a guarantor of the treaty and the rights of member-states. Although the EU may grow from 15 to 27 or 28 member-states by the end of the decade, the Government would not regard a commission of 27 or 28 members as unwieldy.
Although the notion of rotating membership has been mooted, Dublin does not see this as having a realistic chance of acceptance.
The Fine Gael MEP, Ms Avril Doyle, said the Taoiseach was fighting a battle that was already won and he knew very well that Ireland would not lose its Commissioner. "Once again the Government refuses to have a real debate on the issues involved concerning enlargement and instead tries to frighten people about the consequences of further integration," Ms Doyle said last night in a statement.