THE EU summit in Dublin this weekend led to a rare moment of sweetness and light in the Dail yesterday, as the Government was wished well by the Opposition.

The Fianna Fail leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, said ministers had worked hard on the Irish presidency and everybody was proud of their efforts. "I hope those who try to disrupt European Council meetings do not get their way."

Thanking Mr Ahern for his "exceptionally kind remarks", the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, said he appreciated them on a personal level and he was sure that was true of all his colleagues.

The PD leader, Ms Mary Harney, wished the Government, particularly the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and Minister for Finance, well. "I have been very critical of the Government on domestic matters, but I have to say that the Government has performed exceptionally well presiding over the affairs of Europe for the past six months.

"Although we are a very small country, we can be rightly proud of the manner in which the Government and our public service have done the job so efficiently and so well. And I know that from speaking to diplomats over the past few months."

Mr Bruton said he hoped the compliments were deserved. "If they are, I think it shows that a small country can conduct a presidency well."

Meanwhile, Mr Ahern had some advice for the Minister for Finance, Mr Quinn. He urged him to "slip in" at the bottom of the conclusions of the European council, when others were not looking, a provision extending the deadline for the ending of duty free from 1999 to 2010.