Cowen to attend meeting of EU leaders in Brussels

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is due to travel to Brussels today for a meeting of EU leaders.

The gathering has been arranged by the Swedish presidency to ensure a coordinated EU input into next week's G20 summit meeting.

The discussions are expected to focus on improving international financial regulation to prevent any repeat of the financial crisis that has triggered the global recession.

Climate change will also be on the agenda as the international community prepares for a major conference on the matter in Copenhagen this December.