EU Constitution signed by all leaders

The Taoiseach has attended the formal signing of the Treaty to establish the Constitution of Europe in Rome.

The Constitution was agreed last June in Brussels, and will be put to referendum in at least nine states, including Ireland, in the next two years.

Twenty-five EU leaders have met to sign the historic document in the Palazzo dei Conservatori, the same room in which the Treaty of Rome was signed in 1957, laying the foundations for the modern European Union.

Bertie Ahern was asked to speak att he signing because of his personal role in getting agreement on the Constitution in Brussels last June during Ireland’s EU Presidency.

Speaking at today’s signing, the Taoiseach told other EU Lladers and dignitaries that today is an occasion for European celebration, and that it is now up to member states to ratify the Constitution of Europe “convincingly and on time”.

Bertie Ahern said the process of ratification would not be easy, but that with energy and determination it would be successful.

Mr Ahern said the Constitution would equip the European Union to function effectively and efficiently into the future.

Former MEP for Connaught/Ulster Dana Rosemary Scallon said the EU Constitution is the first step on the road to a federal, superstate Europe in which laws of member states lose their primacy.

MEP Scallon said Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have misled the Irish people over a Constitution that undermines our sovereignty and “in former days would have amounted to an act of treason”.