Ahern faces showdown with Prodi

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern is expected to face down European Commission president Romano Prodi over the issue of a two-speed Europe at their first official meeting in Dublin today.

Mr Ahern has already described Mr Prodi’s comments on EU enlargement as “unhelpful” ahead of renewed efforts to agree Europe’s first Constitution.

Mr Ahern has the support of a number of countries including Portugal and Sweden. However, France and Germany have ruled out any concession on the key voting issue.