Taoiseach urged to finalise EU constitution negotiations

Socialist MEPs have called on the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to make a serious effort to finalise an EU constitution during Ireland’s presidency of the union.

Enrique Baron, the leader of the Party of European Socialists (PES), said Ireland had inherited a difficult situation regarding the proposed constitution from the Italian presidency.

He said Italian President Sylvio Berlusconi's boastful and extravagant style had hampered efforts to establish a consensus on the proposed constitution, but Ireland was in a better position to achieve success.

The PES said Mr Ahern should use his skill as a negotiator to bring all sides together to finalise the constitution.