Ahern urged to influence Johannesburg declaration

Irish non-governmental organisations have urged the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, to use Ireland’s influence to help shape the final declaration of the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.

The organisations have asked Mr Ahern to seek a good deal for developing nations and to act independently of the European Union, which many believe is pursuing a corporate agenda.

However, Environment Minister Martin Cullen has insisted that Ireland will remain part of the EU’s negotiating bloc and claimed that the EU is the real driving force behind the summit.