Security and safety top Bertie’s EU list

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has said that the Government will seek to ensure greater security and safety in the European Union during Ireland’s EU presidency.

In the first address of Ireland’s presidency made early this morning, Mr Ahern said that particular emphasis would be put on transatlantic relations as well as effective co-operation between nations to further progress on conflict prevention and human rights.

Mr Ahern, who was responding to the message from Pope John Paul II to mark World Day of Peace, said that the Irish presidency was occurring at an auspicious time from the EU, as it embarked on its largest single expansion.