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Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has had to deal with difficult questions about his IRA past since announcing his candidacy for the Irish Presidency.
BBC: We must deal with our Troubles legacy: Long
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Then, during his bid for the Irish presidency, Martin McGuinness felt it necessary to make it clear that, if victorious, he would meet and greet other heads of state, including the Queen.
BBC: What's behind Sinn Fein's royal angst?
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The directive, driven by the Irish Republic's presidency of the EU, aims to halt cases of mortgages being handed out without any background checks on borrowers.
BBC: Tighter rules for mortgage lending agreed by EU
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"I've given to my Chinese colleague this presidency's frank assessment that we don't believe - as things stand - that a decision is likely during our presidency, " Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen said at the joint news conference with Mr Li.
BBC: NEWS | Europe | EU maintains Chinese arms embargo
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But the Irish say they will try to settle the commission presidency quickly.
ECONOMIST: The European Union summit
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But France, which takes over the EU presidency next month, argues that the Irish No should not block ratification of Lisbon.
BBC: Q&A: Irish treaty referendum
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"The presidency is an independent office and the Irish people whom I appreciate so much and I take with such responsibility have given a very clear mandate on a very clear set of ideas to me, as the ninth president, " he said.
BBC: Irish presidential election: Michael D Higgins elected
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So the Dutch, who hold the Union's six-month presidency, this week produced several new clauses, building on an Irish draft of last December.
ECONOMIST: Ever closer union, 40 years on | The
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The terms of the treaty - including the presidency - had been expected to be implemented by January this year, but Irish voters threw it out in a referendum last year.
BBC: Berlusconi backs Blair for EU job