Rocky road to new EU treaty, warns Ahern

THE Taoiseach yesterday predicted numerous difficulties would arise in the negotiations on finalising the new European Union Treaty.

Ahead of the start of Ireland’s EU presidency next year, Mr Ahern met with French President Jacques Chirac in Paris yesterday to discuss the Government’s plans and EU developments.

The final negotiations on the European Convention may yet take place in Dublin next year, but Mr Ahern said there was a lot of work to be done before getting to that point.