EU: Even the sun came out to bless yesterday's perfectly-planned event, writes Paddy Agnew in Rome.
Italians might have problems when it comes to matters such as EU Commissioners or moral probity, but it cannot be denied that nobody puts on a show quite like they do, especially when they spend €9 million on it.
Even the sun came out temporarily to bless yesterday's carefully-choreographed and elegantly-manicured signing of the European constitution treaty.
This was a day those of us present will long choose to remember, a genuine "I-was-there" event. We are talking, of course, of the stunning impression made by a central Rome deprived of its three most fiendish elements - cars, Romans and tourists.
Such was the massive security operation put in place yesterday that it was possible to walk down Via Del Corso, through Piazza Venezia and on down to the infamous Bocca Della Verità by the Circus Maximus without having to dodge as much as one scooter, one tour guide leader (complete with dangerously-angled umbrella) or indeed a single car.
Tradition has it that the visitor to Rome should visit the Bocca Della Verità (mouth of truth) and stick his/her hand in. If you have been telling lies recently, then your hand gets stuck in the lion's mouth. Interestingly, when the prime ministers, presidents and foreign ministers of the 25 EU member-countries walked past, they kept their hands in their pockets.
As well as the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, Ireland was also represented by Enya, whose music played throughout much of the ceremony in the Sala Orazi e Curiazi. It was only when the whole deal was done her voice gave way to Beethoven's Ode to Joy.
One man who found himself faced with a difficult task was Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. Just one week after having a pacemaker fitted for his heart, President Ciampi, in his role of host, had to do the rounds of all the 25 delegations.
Fortunately for him, he had a helper walking behind him with the names of the 25 EU leaders.
Finally, and with regret, we have to report on the squalid behaviour of all 25 delegations. Every last one, as soon as he or she had signed the Treaty, stuck the new pen in their pocket and walked off with it.
Fortunately, the best-laid plans of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had allowed for such skulduggery and there were enough to go round.
Politicians - what can you say?