Ahern confident Barroso will be confirmed as Prodi's replacement

Bertie Ahern says the new EU Commission President will be confirmed this week.

Speaking to Sky News this morning, the Taoiseach said he would release a statement later today and hopes to announce the final result at an EU council meeting in Brussels on Tuesday.

He says he is confident Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Barroso is worthy of the strong support he is receiving as a candidate.

When questioned about the suggestion that the Taoiseach himself should stand for the position, he said that his commitments are focused on Ireland.