Ahern hopes for constitution agreement

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said today that Ireland would use its presidency of the European Union to try to make progress on the stalled European Constitution – but warned that it could take “some time” to resolve the outstanding issues.

Mr Ahern struck a cautious note about the prospects for reviving the constitution – which EU leaders failed to agree in Brussels last month – during Ireland’s six-month presidency, which starts today.