THE Government is anxious to ensure that the row between Britain and the EU over beef does not disrupt Ireland's EU presidency, according to the Tanaiste, Mr Spring.

"I hope we can take steps to resolve the differences before the Florence Summit [at the end of June]," Mr Spring said yesterday. "One of our priorities for the presidency is to ensure that it works effectively and efficiently. We would be concerned about any difficulties relating to the functioning of the European Union."

Mr Spring was speaking in Dublin after a meeting with the French Minister for European Affairs, Mr Michel Barnier. Mr Barnier, who represents France at the Union's Inter-governmental Conference, called on the Government to take a "pro active stance" at the IGC during the Irish presidency to ensure progress is made there.

"Ireland's presidency takes place at a strategic moment for the EU, and we are setting great store by the impetus Ireland will give a number of issues," he said.

One of the central issues at the IGC is the development of new European security arrangements, and France is one of the most enthusiastic member states concerning the development of a Common Foreign and Security Policy and giving the EU a strong military role.

Mr Barnier said, however, that his country was familiar with and respected Ireland's traditional position of military neutrality.

France wanted the EU to be able to take common action on security issues after the IGC while respecting the position of neutral states such as Ireland. If the EU did not act together with a Common Foreign and Security Policy, then individual states would act separately outside an EU framework.

According to Mr Spring, the two men discussed relations between France and Ireland, the priorities of the Irish presidency, the enlargement of the EU, the Middle East peace process, the external relations of the EU and the IGC.

Mr Barnier said France would support initiatives taken by Ireland during its presidency to tackle the drugs problem on a Europe wide basis.