AN ATTEMPT to rerun the Lisbon Treaty referendum would be constitutionally improper and would almost certainly be challenged in the courts, leading No campaigners have said.
Anthony Coughlan of the National Platform said the Government was clearly preparing to put the treaty to the people a second time.
This, he told the Oireachtas subcommittee on the future of Ireland in the European Union, would "be profoundly dubious and constitutionally improper".
But the Government would have to put exactly the same treaty before voters if it does decide to opt for a second referendum.
"The Treaty of Lisbon cannot be altered by a jot or a tittle or by one comma before being put to the Irish people again, if that is the Government's intention, as seems to be the case," he said.
Former Green Party MEP Patricia McKenna said a second referendum would show the Government's "total disregard for their constitutional duties.
"Forging ahead with such a plan would almost surely run the risk of a constitutional challenge," said Ms McKenna, speaking on behalf of the People's Movement.
During his presentation, Mr Coughlan accused Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin and Foreign Affairs officials of failing to"respect" the referendum result.
Both Mr Martin and department officials have "been working to isolate Ireland by the end of this year by encouraging other countries to finish ratification", he said.
Mr Coughlan and Ms McKenna were joined before the subcommittee by Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins and Roger Cole of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance.
However, the National Platform spokesman was roundly criticised by TDs after he urged that Ireland put off holding a referendum until after the next British election.
He predicted that the Conservatives would win power and then hold a Lisbon referendum where it would be rejected by UK voters - if Ireland had not already ratified.
"Other EU states should not connive in imposing a European federalist constitution without the citizens of the United Kingdom, including our fellow countrymen and countrywomen in Northern Ireland, having a say.
"We should wait for the British general election," he said.
Fine Gael Senator Paschal Donohoe said: "Our fate as a sovereign nation would be completely intertwined with the United Kingdom.
"I would rather have Enda Kenny taking those decisions, not David Cameron [ leader of the Conservative Party]. I would even take Brian Cowen over David Cameron," he said.
Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa clashed with former TD Joe Higgins over recent European Court of Justice rulings on workers' rights.
Mr De Rossa, however, acknowledged Mr Higgins's charge that the European Commission has followed "a neo-liberal agenda".
This, however, is hardly surprising, he said, since the existing commission was appointed by member states dominated by centre-right governments.
Mr Cole said the people have voted: "It is a pity that certain newspapers and others do not seem to think the Irish people are sovereign.
"That decision was made and one cannot ask the people to decide again on exactly the same treaty. It is questionable whether that is legal."
