The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, are expected to meet the EU Commission President, Mr Romano Prodi, shortly to discuss Ireland's portfolio in the new Commission.
Confirming his plans to meet Mr Prodi, the Taoiseach said yesterday he believed a successor to Ireland's Commissioner, Mr Padraig Flynn, would not be chosen until after the European Parliament elections on June 11th.
However, the decision on who should take up the job would be made "sooner rather than later". Mr Prodi had made it clear that he would not be in a position to "sign off on the names" of the new commissioners but would concentrate on portfolios for the individual member-states.