Taoiseach to travel to Berlin for talks with Chancellor

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will travel to Berlin later this evening for talks with the German Chancellor about the long-term future of the European Union.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will travel to Berlin later this evening for talks with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel about the long-term future of the European Union.

Mr Kenny will join the prime ministers of the Czech Republic and Latvia for the discussions with Chancellor Merkel on the vision for Europe once the current financial crisis has been overcome.

One of the issues the four leaders will address is how a more co-ordinated approach at EU level can help in that endeavour.

However the question of whether Ireland will ratify the new EU fiscal compact will not be on the agenda as the Attorney General Marie Whelan has not yet advised the Government on whether a referendum is necessary.