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Ahern Admits Ireland Will Face Difficulties Over National Veto

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

27 October 2003

Speaking to the National Forum on Europe last week, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern admitted that his government faces “difficulties” in its fight to retain the national veto on taxation matters in the new European constitution.

Acknowledging that there is little sympathy for Ireland's position amongst the member states, Mr Ahern conceded: "We have few alliances." However, Ahern insisted that the Government would fight to retain the veto, and said he believed that the EU governments would "accommodate all major concerns". This would enable each government to say the final constitution accommodated its key interests, the Prime Minister suggested.

"We wish to see unanimity retained for all elements of taxation and for the criminal law aspects of justice and home affairs, both of which are areas of particular sensitivity," the Taoiseach told the Forum.

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