The Minister for Foreign Affairs said that the referendum on the EU Constitution might not be held until two years' time. Michael O'Regan reports.
Asked by Mr Joe Higgins (Socialist Party, Dublin West) about its timing, Mr Cowen said: "The referendum might not take place next year at all. It could be 2006." When Mr Higgins said that it would not, therefore, be in the autumn, Mr Cowen replied: "I do not think so. The deputy will be able to go on holidays down to Lispole."
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, who opened the debate on the recent EU Council meeting in Brussels, was warmly congratulated by all sides of the House on the Irish presidency, except for Sinn Féin and Mr Higgins.
Mr Aengus Ó Snodaigh (SF, Dublin South Central) said that he had not congratulated the Government on the outcome, superficially impressive though it was, because Sinn Féin believed it was not a good deal.
"I did not congratulate the Government because they failed to directly represent Ireland's national interests, and, instead, in a dereliction of their duty to the Irish people, for six months they left it to the goodwill of other member-state delegations to speak on our behalf."
Mr Higgins said that the Irish presidency had been hailed as a success, even a triumph. "Why should right-wing political parties throughout Europe, editors of the capitalist-owned media, conservative opinion generally, captains of industry and multinationals not regard the presidency as a triumph for them above all?"
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, said the presidency was something the Taoiseach could be truly proud of. "And I am sure the House would agree that the Taoiseach's rare achievement is a testament to his negotiation skills, which, we are told, are legendary. I commend, also, the legion of Irish officials whose brokering skills and diplomatic élan won over those EU members who remained recalcitrant." He believed, he said, the constitutional treaty to be Europe's moment of truth. "Agreeing the treaty may be one thing, but adopting it is quite another. And getting the people of Europe to adopt the treaty, which I very much hope they will, is the challenge that we, the politicians of Europe, face now."
Mr Kenny said there was absolutely no doubt that the EU was good for Ireland, economically and socially, and that it should continue to be.
"But at this stage of acute transition in our Union, the economic argument is no longer the main argument. With the treaty, the argument becomes primarily political. You see, in two years' time, when we vote on that treaty, we will be answering one distinct question: Europe - are we for it, or against it?"
Adding his congratulations to all concerned, the Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said he was not minimising the presidency's achievement in saying that in many ways the real difficulty started now.
"Securing agreement among 25 heads of government was, no doubt, a complex and difficult task. Securing support for that agreement among the parliaments and electorates of 25 different nations will require vision, leadership and communications of the highest order."
The Green Party leader, Mr Trevor Sargent, congratulated the Taoiseach and the Irish presidency team, adding that his party was not opposed to the EU Constitution in principle. "Over the coming months, the party will be analysing the final draft agreed at the EU Council and holding a special convention to determine the party's final stance on the issue."
Mr Ahern said that the agreement on the Constitution marked a milestone in the development of the EU. It was a success for the people of Europe.
"The Constitution brings the Union's basic law into one document for the first time. It reflects the needs of a community of nations that has dramatically broadened its membership. That community will continue to expand and face new challenges into the future."
The Constitution would enable the EU to become more transparent and democratic, he said.
"It sets out the powers of the member-states and the of the Union in a clear way. It enshrines the fundamental rights of the citizen in relation to the Union's institutions. It will enable the Union to do its work in a more efficient and effective manner."