The Government is reportedly considering asking the EU to guarantee every member state a permanent commissioner before putting the Lisbon Treaty to a second referendum late next year.

Reports this morning say the idea is among a number of options being considered by the Fianna Fail-led coalition following the rejection of the treaty by Irish voters last month.

If the proposal is approved, the Government would also reportedly seek EU assurances on abortion, taxation and neutrality before arranging a second referendum in September or October 2009.

This would mean next summer's European parliament elections would have to be held under the terms of the Nice Treaty rather than the Lisbon Treaty, which cannot come into effect without Ireland's ratification.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is due to present a plan for the way forward to his fellow EU leaders before the end of this year.