Government warns of no quick-fix to EU negotiations
The Government has warned that there is no quick fix solution to the impasse over voting rights in the European Union, which caused the breakdown of yesterday’s negotiations on the future of an enlarged union.
However, they say that they are confident they can manage negotiations on the EU constitution when they resume during our presidency of the union next year.
The Taoiseach announced last night that the talks would resume next March at the request of the European Council.
The President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, says it's crucial a deal is reached before the ten new accession states join next May.
"Because agreement was not possible it does not make agreement not necessary, the European Union of twenty-five and more member states of tomorrow is ill equipped with today’s treaties to meet tomorrows challenges."
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Europe, Dick Roche, says it's not the Government's preferred situation, but that we are well prepared to cope.
"It will be a challenging time, it adds a big burden, I have to say, to our shoulders. The general feeling around here is that we are up to it - in Brussels we are actually regarded as one of the most efficient countries when it comes to organising a presidency. So there is a lot riding on it."
