THE GOVERNMENT last night strengthened its support for John Bruton’s campaign for the presidency of the European Council, but strongly criticised an attack on its stance by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.
The battle for the position intensified at the opening of a two-day summit at which EU leaders struck a deal last night to ensure Czech ratification for the Lisbon Treaty.
Their agreement on an opt-out for the Czechs from the Charter of Fundamental Rights prompted cheers and applause over dinner and should ensure the treaty comes into force after years of negotiation.
Although the Czech constitutional court will not rule until Tuesday on a new legal challenge to the treaty, European Commission president José Manuel Barroso late last night said the treaty will swiftly come into force. “I am confident that we will have a Lisbon Treaty very, very soon,” he said, adding that the process was akin to a marathon with hurdles.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen has been supporting former British prime minister Tony Blair for the presidency of the European Council. But Mr Blair’s campaign encountered opposition yesterday from the party of European Socialists, his own political family.
Mr Cowen at first offered only tepid support for Mr Bruton. While welcoming his entry into the race, Mr Cowen said the Government would support his campaign if he received enough backing elsewhere in the EU.
But Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin went further last night, stating in unqualified terms that Mr Cowen will put forward Mr Bruton’s name to his EU colleagues.
Mr Cowen’s initial remarks prompted Mr Kenny to say the Taoiseach should “get off the British horse and back an Irish candidate”.
Stating that the Taoiseach should not wait to offer his support for Mr Blair, Mr Kenny said Mr Bruton had impeccable credentials for the post. “He didn’t wait to see if Tony Blair had support. He was out of the traps early on that,” said the Fine Gael leader. Mr Kenny, who had been urging the Government to select Mr Bruton as Ireland’s new EU commissioner, said Mr Bruton told him personally of his candidacy for the council presidency last week. This was before Mr Cowen learned of the campaign from Ireland’s Ambassador to Washington. Mr Bruton, who is finishing a five-year term as EU ambassador to the US, put forward his own name in letters last Friday to each EU country’s ambassador to the US.
Mr Martin questioned the tone of Mr Kenny’s response, stating Mr Blair had been a good friend to Ireland and had played a pivotal part in the Northern Ireland peace process. “We need a mature response from Enda Kenny from that. We want substance, not soundbites.”
Asked whether Mr Kenny was correct to say that he jumped too quickly in his support for Mr Blair, the Taoiseach said it was important not to take a partisan view. “I’m here to indicate . . . as I did in the immediate aftermath of the referendum, Tony Blair is held in high esteem in Ireland and there could well be a number of candidates emerging.
“But as an Irish person and head of the Irish Government obviously I would welcome if John Bruton could be there and get the post if that’s possible, and certainly if he’s there with a great chance he won’t be found wanting with support from us.”
Meanwhile, Mr Blair’s prospects of becoming president receded.
Spain’s prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero said the socialists aspired to the post of high representative – the second most powerful post – rather than the presidency.