The Taoiseach and President of the European Council, Mr Bertie Ahern announced this evening that EU leaders have reached agreement on a new Constitutional Treaty for Europe at the European Council in Brussels

Speaking at the concluding Presidency Press Conference in the Justus Lipsius building in Brussels, Mr. Ahern said that that the Constitutional Treaty is a "great achievement for Europe and for all Europeans." "I am delighted to say that we have reached agreement this afternoon. We have agreed the Constitutional Treaty for Europe. "Everyone came to Brussels this weekend with the political will necessary to achieve a consensus. We had a number of very constructive discussions during the past two days. And I want to thank all my colleagues for their positive engagement. "We have all achieved a fundamental advance for the European Union. And the text enables everyone to say that their specific concerns were accommodated. We have listened to each other and understood each other's concerns. This is a win-win solution. "Enabling everyone to say that their concerns have been accommodated in the round is the way the European Union has worked in the past. And, I am very happy to say that we have proven today that this is the way the Union will continue to work in the future.