Ahern to seek neutrality assurances at EU conference

The Taoiseach has said Defence, the Judiciary and taxation remain at the top of Ireland's list of concerns ahead of this weekend's Inter Governmental Conference in Brussels.

The fifteen member states of the EU hope to finalise the contents of the draft EU constitution in time for our presidency, which begins in January.

Bertie Ahern said he is against taxation being determined by a qualified majority of countries.

He's also seeking assurances that Ireland's neutrality is not under threat from any common EU defence policy.

Mr Ahern also added that the 17.5% increase in funding to Mayo County Council will help pay for the destruction caused by the Pollathomas landslide.

Yesterday, the Government announced one-off funding to all local authorities to offset the cost of benchmarking.

It was agreed at a meeting between Bertie Ahern and the Dooncarton Landslide Committee after the September disaster that relief could be provided for three things.