Attorney General’s comments attacked

Opposition politicians have seized on the Attorney General’s concerns about plans for a federal Europe as a sign of Government disunity on the issue.

Michael McDowell last night described the creation of a European state as the ambition of "an important and well-placed" elite in the EU, during a speech made in a "personal capacity" at the Institute of European Affairs in Dublin.

But he stressed he was in favour of the Nice Treaty, rejected by voters in a referendum less than a fortnight ago, as it would make the emergence of such a state less likely.

He also suggested that the adoption of EU directives and regulations without prior consultation was "greatly at odds with the spirit of the constitution".

Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan said Mr McDowell’s "extraordinary views" further expose Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s "lamentable lack of leadership".

He said: "The Attorney General, the legal adviser to the Government and the protector of the public interest, has put himself squarely in the Eurosceptic camp, an untenable position for the person who is required to advise the government on how to proceed in light of the referendum outcome.

"If the attorney general had concerns about EU arrangements, did he do something about them before the referendum?"

Labour Party leader Ruairi Quinn said the comments threw into doubt the Government’s ability to conduct European policy coherently.

He said: "It is a simple truth that one of the reasons why we seem to be under pressure from Europe about the future development of the union is the absolute failure of our own Government to address the issue.

"Side-bar comments from ministers are no substitute to proper debate and dialogue."

Mr Ahern, speaking in the Dail, said Mr McDowell had "emphasised his commitment to the ratification of the Nice Treaty and reiterated points which he had made in his personal capacity many times".

Within hours of the shock ballot, junior minister Eamon O'Cuiv, grandson of former President and Taoiseach Eamon de Valera, said he had voted against the Nice Treaty because European bureaucrats were seeking too much power.

On Friday, Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy described the "No" vote as a "remarkably healthy development".