The Taoiseach has said that it is essential that Ireland retain its right to nominate an EU Commissioner to Brussels. In a major speech on the development of the Union, Bertie Ahern signalled his strong opposition to any proposal to deprive smaller countries of the right to have their own commissioner. Mr Ahern also spoke of his opposition to any move to limit a country's right to decide its own tax policy.
He said that there must be room within the union for diverse approaches to the key issue of taxation. In Ireland's case, he said, low tax rates had played a crucial role in creating the country's economic success.
