Tánaiste welcomes Ashton appointment to EU role

The Tánaiste has welcomed the appointment of a woman to the role of EU Foreign Affairs chief.

Baroness Catherine Ashton, a relative unknown on the European political stage, was selected for the position.

Belgian Prime Minister, Herman Van Rompuy was announced as the bloc's first President.

US President Barack Obama supported the decision, saying Europe will now be an even stronger partner for the United States.

"Catherine (who was Ms Coughlan's opposite number as Trade Commissioner) …could always articulate her point and also bring the room and her colleagues around with her," the Tánaiste said in tribute to Baroness Ashton.