Ahern welcomes Borroso appointment

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has welcomed the approval by the European Parliament of the appointment of Jose Manuel Barroso as the next President of the European Commission.

Mr Ahern described Barroso as a "committed European" with "a deep understanding of the interests of all Member States, large and small, old and new".

"I believe that Jose Manuel will be an excellent President of the Commission having all the qualities of vision and decisiveness required to do this job.

"On a personal basis too I am delighted, as I regard him as a personal friend and I know that he is, and will remain, a friend of Ireland," said Mr Ahern.