Taoiseach hails ‘new chapter in our history’

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has said the enlargement of the European Union is the beginning of a new chapter in our history.

Speaking at Dublin Castle at the first of a number of official engagements to celebrate the enlargement of the EU, he told the world's media that the celebrations around the country would capture the different cultures of the new member states.

The Taoiseach went on to say at the press conference in Dublin Castle that the first task of the new enlarged European Union would be to work out a constitutional treaty.

He said the formulation of the treaty would make the EU a more effective entity.