Dana accuses EC of exceeding its powers

Independent MEP Rosemary "Dana" Scallon has claimed that the European Commission is pressuring the Irish Government to provide funding for embryo research.

Ms Scallon also said that future EU funding could be in jeopardy if the Government refuses to comply, even though EU regulations say that public money cannot be used to fund activities that are illegal in any member state.

"We are witnessing the commission taking powers upon itself that it does not have," she said. "If there is pressure exerted on our Government to keep quiet, then this is totally unacceptable and it must be challenged."