"There is nothing wrong with the European Constitution, but time is needed to restore public confidence so as to pave the way for ratification," Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said today.
Speaking to the National Forum on Europe in Dublin today, Mr Ahern said although the results in France and The Netherlands were "unfortunate" and "have cast a shadow" over the ratification process, he still believes the constitution offers the best, available way forward for the EU.
"The best option is to keep the constitution intact and to review its prospects once the current period of reflection has come to a close," he said.
Mr Ahern warned against the "sense of crisis" following the results in France and The Netherlands, adding that we "should avail of this opportunity to galvanise the EU to continue delivering real benefits for our people".
"Public confidence can no longer be assumed, it must be won through deeds and not just through the words that express treaty commitments," he said.
The Minister also said a date for the Irish referendum on the European Constitution will not be set until "the picture becomes clearer at the European level".