*Ø* Blogmanac | Ireland revives hope for EU Constitution
By George Parker, Financial Times
January 27
"European foreign ministers gave new impetus yesterday to talks on the proposed European Union constitution, six weeks after negotiations collapsed at the Brussels summit. The Irish EU presidency said the mood among ministers was 'positive and helpful' as they held their first talks on the draft treaty since last December's divisive meeting.
"Many foreign ministers argued it was vital to resolve the constitutional debate quickly, to allow the EU to focus on economic reform, future spending plans and other priorities. Many diplomats expressed admiration for Ireland's low-key attempts to revive the constitution, which aims to streamline decision-making in an enlarged EU, increase democratic scrutiny and enhance Europe's role on the world stage."
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Meanwhile ...
Taoiseach may be asked to attend bomb hearings
Conor Lally, Irish Times
"The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, may be invited to appear before the Oireachtas subcommittee to explain why he was not more insistent with the British and Northern Irish authorities when they refused Mr Justice Barron access to files on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of 1974 ...
"Mr Paul Murphy, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, has also been invited to appear as has a number of his predecessors, including Mr Peter Mandelson and Mr John Reid. Mr Hugh Orde, chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, has also been asked to attend.
"All are scheduled to appear before the subcommittee in mid-February. However, it is unlikely that any of the British and Northern Irish officials and former officials will agree to attend. The subcommittee will report back to the Government in March on whether it believes a public tribunal of inquiry into the Dublin-Monaghan bombings is warranted."
Source
[No one was ever prosecuted for the attacks, in which 33 people died. There are suggestions of possible involvement of British agents in the bombing plot by the UVF -- N]
By George Parker, Financial Times
January 27
"European foreign ministers gave new impetus yesterday to talks on the proposed European Union constitution, six weeks after negotiations collapsed at the Brussels summit. The Irish EU presidency said the mood among ministers was 'positive and helpful' as they held their first talks on the draft treaty since last December's divisive meeting.
"Many foreign ministers argued it was vital to resolve the constitutional debate quickly, to allow the EU to focus on economic reform, future spending plans and other priorities. Many diplomats expressed admiration for Ireland's low-key attempts to revive the constitution, which aims to streamline decision-making in an enlarged EU, increase democratic scrutiny and enhance Europe's role on the world stage."
Full text
Meanwhile ...
Taoiseach may be asked to attend bomb hearings
Conor Lally, Irish Times
"The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, may be invited to appear before the Oireachtas subcommittee to explain why he was not more insistent with the British and Northern Irish authorities when they refused Mr Justice Barron access to files on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of 1974 ...
"Mr Paul Murphy, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, has also been invited to appear as has a number of his predecessors, including Mr Peter Mandelson and Mr John Reid. Mr Hugh Orde, chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, has also been asked to attend.
"All are scheduled to appear before the subcommittee in mid-February. However, it is unlikely that any of the British and Northern Irish officials and former officials will agree to attend. The subcommittee will report back to the Government in March on whether it believes a public tribunal of inquiry into the Dublin-Monaghan bombings is warranted."
Source
[No one was ever prosecuted for the attacks, in which 33 people died. There are suggestions of possible involvement of British agents in the bombing plot by the UVF -- N]
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