Concern is growing throughout Ireland that a two speed European Union is developing with larger member states calling the shots, a senior Sinn Fein figure claimed today.
The party's national chairman Mr Mitchel McLaughlin expressed concern that the British, French and German governments were holding their own summits in Berlin in four days' time on EU issues with no other member states involved.
The Foyle Assembly member said: "Bertie Ahern has already commented that he has no concern about the EU's most powerful nations meeting in advance of next month's European Council to discuss matters such as the draft EU constitution and enlargement.
"Sinn Fein has been warning against this type of development for some time now. In effect we have the 'big three' trying to set the agenda for what is happening in Europe.
"We will be raising our concerns with the Irish and British governments."
Mr McLaughlin was addressing a gathering of Sinn Fein representatives from Northern Ireland and the Republic at a gathering in Navan, Co Meath.
The conference was being held to review the party's strategy in the run up to June's European Parliament election as well as the local government elections in the Irish republic.
Sinn Fein believe it could secure its first representatives in the European parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg.
PA