Cushnahan agrees with Prodi two-tier warning

The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, has repeated his warning that a two-speed Europe is inevitable if agreement isn't reached on a European constitution.

Mr Prodi was speaking after Taoiseach Bertie Ahern outlined Ireland's Programme for the EU presidency. He warned that the political cost of slowing integration would be too great.

Fine Gael’s Munster MEP, John Cushnahan, agrees. He said that failure to agree the draft constitution would lead to a two-tier Europe.

"I believe that is inevitable," he said.

He added that euro-sceptic countries should not be able to veto the progress of others towards political union.

However, Fianna Fail MEP Gerry Collins told the parliament that a two-speed Europe could prove very damaging.

He described the idea as "a highly destructive proposal, which could put at risk the effectiveness and even the very existence of the European Union".