Barroso praises work of Forum on Europe

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso has praised Ireland's National Forum on Europe for promoting debate about the EU project.

Speaking at the forum today, Mr Barroso said the body had helped to stimulate debate and encourage Irish people to back the Nice Treaty after initially rejecting it.

He said the rest of Europe could learn from the Irish experience when trying to convince voters to back the proposed EU constitution, which has already been rejected by France and the Netherlands.

A number of protestors opposed to the constitution shouted abuse at Mr Barroso as he entered the Mansion House in Dublin to address today's meeting.