TAOISEACH Brian Cowen was forced last night to publicly throw his weight behind former Fine Gael Taoiseach John Bruton's bid to get the newly created top job in the EU.

The Government ditched its support for former British Prime Minister Tony Blair after Mr Bruton's dramatic entry into the race for President of the European Council -- a post with an estimated salary of €300,000.

The former Taoiseach threw his hat into the ring by going directly to EU leaders to pitch himself for the powerful post, bypassing Mr Cowen.

After Mr Cowen initially gave Mr Bruton's candidacy only half-hearted support, Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said the Government was going to "put his name forward".

Mr Bruton is very much an outside shot for the position but would certainly be an alternative to Mr Blair, whose campaign is floundering. EU leaders are firmly indicating they want a chairman-style president rather than a high-profile figurehead to fill the post.

There are still doubts over the level of effort the Government will put into backing Mr Bruton's bid, but the official Irish position was outlined clearly by Mr Martin.

"Once an Irishman is going forward, we're supporting the Irishman," he said.

If Mr Bruton secured the influential post it would go some way to restoring Ireland's reputation in Europe after two referendums to back the Lisbon Treaty. And it comes at a time when the EU's support for Ireland's economic recovery policies is coming to the fore.

Mr Cowen received a round of applause from EU leaders last night -- an unusual event -- when he reported back on the result of the referendum.

"I believe that the overwhelming result of our second referendum, endorsing the Lisbon Treaty by over two to one, is a clear statement of Ireland's support -- not just for the Lisbon Treaty but for the European Union more generally," he said.

The Government's stance on Mr Bruton's campaign sparked a bitter row between Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Mr Martin.

Mr Kenny said Mr Cowen needed to "get off the British horse and back the Irish candidate", meaning the Taoiseach had to support Mr Bruton over Mr Blair.

Pointing out that the new post was being created as a result of the Irish people's endorsement of Lisbon, Mr Kenny said Mr Bruton was "a candidate of impeccable credentials".

But Mr Martin hit back at Mr Kenny, saying the situation needed a "more mature response" from the FG leader.

Mr Kenny had lobbied the Government to make Mr Bruton the commissioner, but did not previously mention the president's job.

Mr Kenny said Mr Bruton told him last week he would be putting his name forward for EU president.

Mr Bruton's move came as a surprise to the Government and was a clear sign he doesn't believe he will be nominated as Ireland's European Commissioner.

As EU Ambassador to the USA, the former FG leader wrote directly to the ambassadors of the 27 EU countries in Washington to inform them of his interest in the post.

The first the Government heard of his plan was when the letter arrived with the Irish Ambassador to the USA, Michael Collins, who alerted the Taoiseach's department.

Earlier in the day, Mr Cowen gave Mr Bruton qualified backing, saying his Government welcomed his candidacy but would be assessing the level of support for it.

Mr Cowen had to be repeatedly asked if he was supporting Mr Bruton's nomination, particularly as he had previously indicated support for Mr Blair.

After the referendum, Mr Cowen said that the Government would be "very supportive" of Mr Blair if he was a candidate and he had "the highest regard" for the former British PM.

Mr Cowen gave Mr Bruton a less ringing endorsement yesterday.

"The Irish Government would like to see him proceed in a successful way if that is possible. As I say, I welcome his candidacy and the Government will support his candidacy on the basis of sufficient support for it. But that remains to be seen," he said.

In contrast, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave whole-hearted backing to Mr Blair.

Candidate

"We, the British Government, believe that Tony Blair would be an excellent candidate and an excellent person to hold the job of president of the council," he said.

Mr Bruton is behind several sitting prime ministers, including Luxembourg's Jean-Claude and the Netherlands' Jan Peter Balkenende.

Among other potential candidates are Sweden's Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, former Austrian chancellor Wolfgang Schussel and former Finland Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen.

EU leaders last night agreed a way for the final ratification of the Lisbon Treaty by the Czech Republic, the only remaining country not to sign up to the reform document. The Czechs will be allowed to opt out of the charter of fundamental rights which is attached to the treaty.

EU leaders are also finalising their approach to the forthcoming climate change conference in Copenhagen.

Differences between the established EU countries and newer members from Eastern Europe are threatening an agreed deal being put on the table.

- Fionnan Sheahan Political Editor in Brussels

Irish Independent