Fine Gael's Richard Bruton has defended his party's position following its reversal of a threat to block the Taoiseach from attending an important EU summit by refusing to sanction a pairing arrangement for Dáil votes.

Leaders at a 38-nation Asia-Europe summit in Helsinki, Finland, stood in silence today, remembering those killed in the September 11 terror attacks five years ago in the United States.

French President Jacques Chirac will today launch an intensive week of meetings with Asian leaders aimed at promoting French companies and cementing Europe-Asia ties.