The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has had two hours of talks in Rome with the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi. The discussions focused on attempts to agree a new European Union constitution.
The talks represented the first opportunity for the Taoiseach to meet Mr Berlusconi in person to discuss the failed attempts to reach an agreement on the matter under the Italian presidency.
At a news conference, Mr Ahern said key countries still had to decide on important issues. However, he said that with elections due in Spain and Poland, he did not see any coherent argument that waiting would ease the situation.
