EU/ IRELAND: The Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr Dick Roche, has warned that failure to conclude negotiations on a constitutional treaty during Ireland's EU Presidency could erode public confidence in the Union.
Speaking to the European economic and Social Committee in Brussels, Mr Roche said that the Irish Presidency had invested great time and energy into finding agreement.
"We believe that if we do not make early progress the EU runs the risk of a further loss of momentum and of credibility. We understand too that as time moves on the task will not get any easier . . . In the second half of the year the Union has to deal with difficult issues, the future financial perspective being at the top of the list. If progress is not made . . . The job of agreeing the treaty will get even harder," he said.
The Taoiseach will report to EU leaders on the state of negotiations at a summit on March 26th. He must decide if an early deal is possible or if the task of reaching agreement should be left to the Dutch Presidency later this year.