The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said today that no consensus candidate had emerged at an EU summit so far to head the executive European Commission and hinted the choice may have to be deferred.
"Ultimately, somebody has to get this job. Whether that's today, tomorrow or in a while we'll have to see," Mr Ahern told reporters on arriving to chair the second and final day of the summit.
Mr Ahern said EU leaders had made "very good progress" on narrowing differences on a first constitution for the EU and added: "We have to try and keep at it. We are not there yet."