Ireland's EU presidency ends with the historic agreement of a first constitution for Europe.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern speaks about the Irish role in the negotiations.
There were many different views on what the constitution should contain, and a huge effort on the part of the Irish staff and foreign affairs minister Brian Cowen to get everyone to agree.
Europe has a constitution for the first time ever.
Bertie Ahern hopes the constitution will last into the next generation, though it has to be ratified. It sets out the core principles of Europe and simplifies the treaties already in existence.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 18 June 2004. The reporter is Bryan Dobson.
