Nice row continues in Dail
The fall-out over the electorate’s rejection of the Nice treaty has been continuing in the Dail this afternoon.
The Taoiseach is insisting that ratification of the treaty is necessary for the enlargement of the European Union.
Earlier, EU Commission President Romano Prodi said enlargement can proceed beyond 20 states even if Nice is not given the green light.
However, in the Dail, Bertie Ahern insisted that Mr Prodi had clarified his comments and the treaty must be ratified.
The Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan accused the Taoiseach of treating the future of the EU with contempt.
Earlier, he said the Government was lacking leadership because of the division over European among ministers.
