Ahern lauded for EU role success

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern received warm applause and congratulations from Dáil colleagues yesterday as he signed off as EU President.

Deemed a hugely successful six months for Mr Ahern and Ireland, the Irish tenure included the successful enlargement of the European Union from 15 to 25, the agreement of a constitution for Europe and the selection of a new president of the European Commission.

Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said Mr Ahern’s achievements were something to be proud of.

“I am sure that the house would agree that the Taoiseach’s rare achievement is a testament to his negotiation skills which, we are told, are legendary,” he said.

Those sentiments were echoed by Labour leader Pat Rabbitte who also praised the role played by Minister for Europe Dick Roche, and Foreign Affairs Minister, Brian Cowen.

However, Sinn Féin’s Aengus O’Snodaigh said he refused to congratulate people on bad deals, while Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins said the new EU Constitution consolidates the drive towards the privatisation of public services.

Green Party leader Trevor Sargent, said his party was not automatically opposed to the Constitution but had to study it carefully before determining the party’s final stance.

Addressing the Dáil, Mr Ahern said the agreement reached on establishing a Constitution for Europe marked a milestone in the development of the European Union.

“The successful conclusion of these complex and critical negotiations proved that with political will, accommodation, compromise and hard work, our enlarged union can continue to forge win-win solutions for all the member states and for the people of Europe.

“Our success in agreeing the European Constitution is a success for the people of Europe ... It will enable the union to do its work in a more efficient and effective manner. And I firmly believe that it will give us a framework in which the European Union and all its people can grow and prosper into the future,” Mr Ahern said.

The Taoiseach also paid tribute yesterday to the new EU commission President, Portugal’s Jose Manuel Barroso and saying the new man would bring all the qualities of vision and decisiveness required to do the job.

In a separate message marking the end of the current Irish EU presidency, the Taoiseach also wished the Prime Minister of the Netherlands well over the next six months.

Jan Peter Balkenende and his team took over the EU presidency at midnight.