Irish Government stands firm on single EU Commissioner nominee despite calls for female candidate
Bartering will continue in Brussels on Friday as the EU Council meeting continues to decide how the top jobs will be dished out.
Michael McGrath will be Ireland’s only EU Commissioner nomination and the Government will not succumb to a request to also nominate a woman, Taoiseach Simon Harris has confirmed.
Bartering will continue in Brussels on Friday as the EU Council meeting continues to decide how the top jobs will be dished out.
It is expected that incumbent European President Ursula von der Leyen will be re-elected for a second term.
Following proclamations from Fianna Fáil TDs that they would not vote for Ms von der Leyen, the Taoiseach reporters in Brussels that they should “reflect on how they can assist” Mr McGrath secure a good portfolio.
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Government sources have expressed concerns that Mr McGrath may not be given a big job by Ms von der Leyen if she does not have the support of Irish MEPs.
Mr Harris said: “I think it is helpful now that we have sight of our nominee for MEPs to reflect on that as well and how they can assist Michael McGrath and assist Ireland to get the best portfolio”.
Ms von der Leyen previously asked member states to nominate both a male and a female commissioner.
However, the Taoiseach said Ireland will not do this as Ireland is sending its Finance Minister.
“We've asked somebody to effectively step down from their Cabinet role, to step down from preparing the next budget,” he continued.
“It's important that before you ask them to do this, that they have clarity that they are going to be the nominee.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Brussels at the European Council meeting following last week’s announcement that the European Union had agreed to start membership negotiations with Ukraine.
He urged EU leader to deliver on their promises to provide military support as his country continues to battle Russia.
The EU and Ukraine later agreed to a long-term deal which will help Ukraine to defend itself.
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