The Taoiseach and President of the European Council, Bertie Ahern, addressed the EU heads of mission at Government Buildings last Tuesday. According to a press statement issued by the Irish Presidency, the Taoiseach stated that one of the key priorities of his Presidency was to work towards agreement on a new EU Constitution, enlargement, the jobs and competitiveness agenda, the freedom, security and justice agenda and the role of the EU on the world stage.

"Building on the work of the European Convention, the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) made considerable progress on a Constitution for Europe last year. It was, of course, disappointing that it was not possible to reach agreement on the outstanding issues in Brussels last month", Mr Ahern said.

"It now falls to Ireland to try to make further progress. We are determined to do whatever we can to encourage and facilitate the earliest possible agreement. We will base our work on the report of the European Convention and the progress made so far in the IGC.

"At the European Council last month, I undertook to consult with partners and to report to the Spring European Council. My series of consultations is now under way. An informal discussion on the IGC is planned for next week on the margins of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. We will spare no effort to make progress during our term," he said.

The Taoiseach stated that another key priority was to give renewed focus and impetus to the jobs and competitiveness agenda and to the reform goals agreed in Lisbon in 2000. "We intend to use the Spring European Council this year to re-inject momentum into the process", he said.

"Over the next six months, we will need the help and support of our partners to ensure positive outcomes on the full range of issues that face us. We are confident however that as 'Europeans - Working Together' (the theme of our Presidency), we will make our contribution to achieving a Union better able to meet the challenges of the future."