Ahern says constitution delays would damage EU

Excessive delay in agreeing on a European constitution will damage the credibility of the EU, the Taoiseach said today.

Addressing the European Parliament in Srasbourg, Mr Ahern said Ireland, as EU President, would "spare no effort to make progress and to facilitate consensus during our term in office."

"This issue will command the highest priority under our Presidency," Mr Ahern added.

"I do passionately believe making progress in the short termwill be better and safer," he said.

But he warned: "If everybody sticks totheir present position, there's no hope I can conclude this."

The 25 present and future EU member-states agree on almost everything in the draft constitution, although a number of issues of concern to particular countries, including Ireland's demand to retain the national veto on all tax issues, remain to be agreed.

The most important dispute concerns how countries should vote in the Council of Ministers, with France and Germany leading calls for a system that reflects population size, while Spain and Poland insist that the system of weighted votes agreed at Nice should be retained.

Mr Ahern addressing the European Parliament this morning

Mr Ahern told the Parliament this morning: "We are determined to do whatever we can to encourage and facilitate the earliest possible agreement.

"But ultimately, if we are to arrive at the necessary compromises, what is needed is sufficient collective political will.

"A new Constitution would help the Union respond to the demands and expectations of its citizens.

"It would help the Union play a more coherent and effective role in the wider world.

"On the other hand, excessive delay will damage our credibility and weaken our standing.

"Stalemate is not an option any of us can contemplate."

Mr Ahern is to deliver a progress report on the negotiations to the European Council in March.