Ahern defends Government’s role in EU talks

THE Taoiseach defended the Government’s role in the EU think-tank on the future of Europe yesterday.

Denying claims that the Government’s involvement in the Convention on the Future of Europe was low-key, Mr Ahern said the Government was actively participating and was putting in an enormous amount of effort.

Insisting that the Government’s involvement came from the highest level, Mr Ahern said he was in personal contact with the Irish members and spends up to six hours at the weekend reading the convention papers.