Taoiseach admits concerns at EU constitution

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has told the Forum on Europe that the Government has a number of concerns about the proposed EU constitution.

Mr Ahern says the proposed constitution does not alter the State’s stance on participating in a common defence policy.

Mr Ahern reiterated that, under the Irish Constitution, the Government cannot participate in a common EU defence policy without securing permission to do so in a referendum.

But the Taoiseach said the Irish Government had a number of concerns about the proposed EU constitution, particularly in the area of taxation.

He said security and defence issues also needed more work and added that he supported a controversial campaign to have a reference to God inserted into the constitution.