The Government is to report to other EU leaders later this month on the progress of talks aimed at securing agreement to reconvene formal negotiations during Ireland’s presidency on a proposed EU constitution.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is expected to inform the leaders of his decision on whether or not to recommend the reconvening of formal negotiations at the European Council summit at the end of this month.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said the State, as holder of the EU presidency, was engaged in a process of consultation and assessment and was preparing a report on those discussions for the Council.
She refused to comment on a claim made by Mr Anthony Coughlan, of the National Platform, that the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, "is openly siding with Germany in pressurising Poland and Spain to change their position on their Nice Treaty voting rights".
According to Mr Coughlan, by backing Germany against Poland and Spain, the Taoiseach "is flouting the convention that the holder of the EU Presidency should be neutral and impartial between its Member States on issues that are in dispute between them."
Mr Ahern will make one of the most significant decisions of Ireland's EU presidency within the next fortnight when he decides whether or not to resume formal negotiations on Europe's constitutional treaty.
Last December's summit collapsed over a dispute on reform of the Council of Ministers voting system. Germany and France are seeking a system reflective of their large populations and contributions Poland and Spain are among the advocates of maintaining the voting weights established under Nice.
The spokeswoman said the Department would not respond to speculation and added all options were "being explored to find a voting formula acceptable to all member States".
The European Council will hold its spring summit in Brussels on March 25th and 26th.