Presidency handover – Ahern seals triumphant EU reign

The acceptance by Portuguese prime minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso of the post of EU Commission president was the final plaudit for Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the end of an extraordinarily successful presidency of the EU.

Mr Barroso was Mr Ahern’s choice for the pivotal role in European affairs and was confirmed as the successor to Romani Prodi yesterday at a summit called by the Taoiseach, which was Ireland’s valediction to the EU presidency.

As Ireland hands over the reins to the Dutch, Mr Ahern can reflect on the past six months as a personal triumph, and a matter of national pride for the country insofar as influencing the future direction of an enlarged Europe.