Chirac asks Ahern to take on Euro presidency

The French President, Jacques Chirac, is reported to have asked Bertie Ahern to take the job as president of the European Commission.

According to today’s Sunday Times, Mr Chirac asked the Taoiseach in a private meeting, to break the impasse on the appointment of a president by reconsidering his own position.

Mr Ahern stated last week that he is not interested in the job, but sources close to him say leaders from 17 countries have asked him to allow his name to go forward.