A common European army could be the legacy of Ireland's EU Presidency if its draft changes on the security aspects of EU treaties are approved by other EU states, the Green MEP, Ms Patricia McKenna, - has warned. Ireland should have used its presidency to stop the push towards a "European military su
The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, praised the work of the officials in his Department at the conclusion of the European Council meeting.
Among the key officials were Mr Brian McCarthy, assistant secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach, and Mr Frank Murray, Secretary to the Government. Mr Aidan Dunning and Mr Eoin O'Leary were the officials most centrally involved - in drafting documents and statements and analysing the many proposals that passed through the Taoiseach's Department over the past six months.
The Taoiseach's private secretary, Mr George Shaw, played a substantial role in the organisation of Mr Bruton's pre-summit tour of EU capitals, together with his deputy, Mr Declan Ingoldsby. Ms Brenda Boylan was also involved in organising Mr Bruton's tour. Mr Brian Collinge, the head of protocol in the Taoiseach's Department was centrally involved in summit preparations.
The Government press secretary, Mr Shane Kenny, and his deputies, Mr John Foley and Mr Tony Heffernan, spent much of the six-month presidency dealing with EU-related issues. Within the Government Information Service Ms Kate O'Toole, Mr Nick Reddy, Ms Jackie Coogan, Ms Grace Fagan and Ms Claire Hannon were among those who dealt with the burden of work.
Ms Veronica Scanlan and Mr John Brennan produced the regular bulletin on the presidency that was sent to a wide range of organisations, groups, embassies and media at home and abroad.
In the Department of Finance the key officials involved in brokering and drafting the weekend agreement on Economic and Monetary Union were Mr Noel O'Gorman, Second Secretary of the Department and Mr Tom Considine, Assistant Secretary.