The Taoiseach MrAhern has told other European Union leaders he will overcome the impasse created by Ireland's rejection of the Nice Treaty.
"The Irish Government is determined to work with you to find a mutually acceptable way forwardwhich will help lead to the outcome all of us are committed to achieving -namely a successful enlargement of the Union," Mr Ahern said in a statement.
Mr Ahern, who has expressed disappointment with the surprise outcome of last week's referendum, repeated his view Irish voters were motivated not by opposition to enlargement but by a widespread sense of disconnection with the Union's institutions.
He said Ireland needed a period of reflection and said Ireland had set up a National Forum on Europe."I hope this will allow for more systematic and extensive debate on the European Union and itsfuture direction."
EU leaders have said the Irish referendum result will not be allowed to delay or derail the enlargement talks, which could lead to new members from eastern and southern Europe joining the Union by 2004.