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Originally Posted by molloyjh  That has to come into effect on 01st November if Lisbon isn't ratified. Giving the Council around 3 weeks to finalise how it will be done. That's nowhere near enough time to start from scratch on negotiations, especially given that all Member States Governments have already agreed to the 2/3 proposal in the Lisbon negotitations. You are fooling yourself if you think it will be anything other than the 2/3 proposal. |
Fooling myself?!?! How?!?!
If Ireland choose to reduce the numbers to 26, that is their prerogative! Part of being 1 in 27 i suppose. I think Ireland should give up it's commissioner. There are simply too many of them.
If an agreement could not be reached within 3 weeks, then an interim commission is nominated (as Mr. Barrosso has already signalled!!) but the legitimacy of that commission would be in doubt as Ibis points out.
I honestly don't know what would happen, but i'll take a stab at a guess that the heads of member states would not allow an illegitimate commission to remain in office for long. It would have to be sorted out pretty quickly, or the commission comes to a standstill.
Ergo, it is likely that a decision would be made post-haste (some member states have plans already outlined) but it is also likely that an interim commission will be appointed for a short time while we await that decision.
You must also remember that Ireland is not the only country to not ratify the Lisbon Treaty. It looks extrememly likely that, even without Ireland, an interim commission will be appointed anyway untill all of the ratifications are through.