Roche rejects EU Commissioner 'speculation'

The Government has rejected press reports that Ireland would have to share an EU Commissioner with Britain under a French plan…

The Government has rejected press reports that Ireland would have to share an EU Commissioner with Britain under a French plan as “speculation”.

Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche said no such proposal had been made. “The speculation that the position regarding the new Commission composition is under discussion is just that - speculation,” he said.

The minister noted a statement from the French Foreign Ministry that European media reports about the future composition of the Commission were "without foundation".

Mr Roche said the Nice Treaty provided for a Commission of fewer than the number of Member States and a decision would have to be made on that matter by unanimity.

"What this does illustrate is the very difficult position that will apply when it comes to appointing the EU Commission that takes office from 2009.

"The reality is that under the Nice Treaty, under which we are operating at the moment, the Commission must be reduced to less than 27 when it takes office late next year," said Mr Roche, adding that the method for doing so has yet to be determined.

He accused No campaigners in the Lisbon Treaty referendum debate of having "misled the Irish people" when they claimed rejection of the treaty would protect Ireland's Commissioner.

He said Ireland was guaranteed a Commissioner until 2014 under Lisbon.

"None of this is provided for under the Nice Treaty. One of the consequences of our No is that the certainty, equality and flexibility which was provided for by the Lisbon Treaty has been rejected and cannot be applied.