Ahern facing hectic week of international engagements

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is beginning his last week of international engagements in his role as President of the European Council of Ministers.

Mr Ahern is due to travel to Tokyo this morning to represent the European Union at an EU-Japan summit.

He will travel to London on Friday for talks on the North with British Prime Minister Tony Blair before returning to Ireland to greet US President George W Bush in Co Clare.

On Saturday, Mr Ahern will host the EU-US summit at Dromoland Castle.

He may also decide to attend a NATO summit in Istanbul the following day.