O’Keeffe backs Taoiseach as EU chief

A SENIOR Fianna Fáil TD last night came out strongly in favour of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern taking the job of President of the European Commission — if he were offered it.

Former junior minister Ned O'Keeffe told The Irish Examiner that he was convinced that Mr Ahern would be a great choice as president. He added that it would be a wonderful opportunity for the country that could not be ignored.

"Bertie Ahern has given great leadership as President of Europe," said the Cork East TD.

"If the Constitution were to be approved this weekend, it would be an outstanding achievement.

"The potential for Ireland would be enormous if Mr Ahern was chosen. Ireland can ill afford to throw away that chance if it gets it."

Mr O'Keeffe said that he could not stress enough how important such an appointment would be for Ireland. He highlighted the influence of former President Jacques Delors, whom he described as pro-Irish and responsible for the distribution of structural funds to the State at a critical time.

"There would be many opportunities for Ireland with an Irish president of the commission," he said.

However, he said that it would cause one major difficulty, namely that Mr Ahern would no longer be Taoiseach nor would lead Fianna Fáil into the next general election.

Mindful of his own runs-in with the party leadership in the past including a ticking-off last September for criticising ministers Mr O'Keeffe was insistent that his comments should not be interpreted in any way as a veiled criticism of Mr Ahern.

"Anybody who would twist the comments that way would be mischievous and does not understand the benefits or potential of the position.

"As president of the commission, you are leading 25 countries and presiding over four Summits each year. It would bring a strong commitment to Ireland and further endorse our position in relation to Northern Ireland," he added.

Mr O'Keeffe also raised concern about Fianna Fáil's position following poor results in the European and local elections. Mr O'Keeffe said he was worried that Fianna Fáil may not be in a position to correct the problem by 2007.

In a forthright assessment ge said: "There's no point in blaming the PDs or Sinn Féin. It's our (FF's) problem. The PDs are following their agenda as set out in the Programme for Government. Fianna Fáil got the social ministries that gave us a chance to cancel that."

Mr O'Keeffe said that the party had in some ways isolated itself from its core supporters. "We have forgotten the small farmer and the working people who live in terraces," he said.

"In the last ten years we have created more multi-millionaires than ever in Ireland. The wealth has gone all in the one direction. It is causing a jealousy and a division of society."