Declaration may counter Irish 'no' vote

All 15 member states of the European Union will be asked for an unprecedented declaration of support for the push to bring in 10 more countries if Ireland votes against the Nice Treaty next week.

Although officials deny the existence of a "plan B" if Ireland rejects the Nice Treaty for a second time, they are already thinking of ways in which they could salvage the enlargement process.

A "no" vote would threaten enlargement because the Nice Treaty, which spells out many of the changes needed for the EU to expand, has to be ratified by all member states.

But officials say that a declaration of support for enlargement from the Dail and from parliaments or governments in other member states would let the European Commission pursue preparations for enlargement, without looking as if it is ignoring the democratic will of the voters.

They argue that it is not for Brussels to interpret a "no" vote as a rejection of enlargement or other parts of the treaty. But countries thought to be less enthusiastic on enlargement may press for the process to be delayed until the next treaty, due to be drawn up in 2004, is approved and ratified.

Jonathan Faull, spokesman for the Commission, argued: "We don't know what the consequences of a 'no' vote would be. A new political dynamic would be created within the Union and in many of the candidate countries."