The meeting reaffirmed the Council's commitment to the process of enlargement and said last week's referendum result would not affect the pace of negotiations with candidate countries. "While respecting the will of the Irish people, ministers express their regret at the results of the Irish referendum on the Treaty of Nice. They exclude any reopening of the text signed in Nice. The ratification process will continue on the basis of this text and in accordance with the agreed timetable," said a statement. So much for the will of the people!

But Mr Cowen rejected a suggestion that, by holding a second referendum on Nice, the Government would be flouting the democratically expressed will of the people. He said the Irish people remained committed to EU enlargement and that he had to find a way of moving forward with that process while addressing the concerns expressed during the campaign.

"Bernadette, speak directly to your Taoiseach," said Irish radio presenter Joe Duffy on Monday, as he invited listeners on the headline Irish radio channel to explain why they voted against ratification of the Nice treaty in last thursday's referendum.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, who apparently listened to the programme, will have heard a litany of complaints, ranging from fears over loss of influence in an enlarged EU to concerns that the EU's military plans might threaten Ireland's traditional neutrality.

One Irish minister admitted yesterday to having voted No: Eamon O'Cuiv, junior agriculture minister and grandson of Eamon de Valera, one of founders of the republic, was unrepentant. "I think the Taoiseach will see this exactly the way it is. I was very loyal to the government. As a citizen I have a right and so does every other member from the president down, I have no responsibility as a minister to vote in any predetermined way at the ballot box."