PRODI VISIT: The president of the European Commission, Mr Romano Prodi, and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, held discussions in Dublin yesterday on the Government's plans for the Irish presidency of the EU, which begins on January 1st.
They also discussed the Inter-Governmental Conference on the draft European constitution and the growth initiative to revive economic expansion in the EU.
Mr Prodi travelled to Dublin from Strasbourg, where he was attending a plenary session of the European parliament. He returned last night to Brussels.
He told yesterday's plenary session that the Convention on the Future of Europe had produced a balanced package of proposals in the draft constitution. Very few points in the draft required renegotiation, he said.
The statement issued by Mr Prodi's office did not address the taxation provisions of the draft, which are strongly opposed by the Government.
If not amended, these would remove the national veto on taxation within individual member- states. The Government has particular reservations about such a provision because it would threaten the low rate of corporate taxation in the State.
Last night's meeting at Government Buildings was one of a number between the EU Commissioners and the Government in the run-up to the presidency.
The Commissioner for Environment, Ms Margot Wallstrom, today meets the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen. The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, met the Commissioner for Research, Mr Philippe Busquin, on Monday.
