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EXTRA Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald has publicly thrown her hat in the ring to be the next Irish EU Commissioner.
The former Justice Minister and MEP revealed his interest to the Irish Independent, admitting, however, that the government faces a difficult decision.
Fitzgerald is now joining Máiread McGuinness in publicly expressing his interest in the prestigious job that Phil Hogan vacated last week.
With EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen publicly calling on the Government to present “a woman and a man”, Fitzgerald’s statement puts new pressure on the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the Green Party leader to do exactly that.
“Clearly, this is a very delicate and difficult decision for the Irish government, and a very important one in terms of the future relationship of this country with Europe,” Ms Fitzgerald told the Irish Independent.
“There are many social and economic implications in that decision and that relationship, and obviously there are a number of people with different abilities interested in making it.”
“I would like to express my own interest, based on 20 years in politics and public life, with an NGO and then reach the highest levels of government. I feel like I would have the necessary level of experience for the position.
“Therefore, I would like to submit my name for your consideration.”
Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, the frontrunner, said he was not ruling himself out, but told RTE News that “it is up to the government to decide” the name or names to be sent to President von der Leyen.
Mr. Coveney said he did not have a decision yet to make as he had not received any requests from the Taoiseach or the Government, adding that national politics was “a big part of my life” and required his concentration.
“I’m not ruling it out, but this is subject to a decision by the three party leaders,” he told RTE Southern editor Paschal Sheehy.
“I would need to have a very good reason to get away from the focus that I have right now, which is a privilege and of great importance.
“And I would have to be convinced that it could add significant value to our chances of raising the profile within the Irish influence commission, and that is something I know the Taoiseach and his team are trying to establish at the moment.”
She declined to comment on the warning from her party colleague Mairead McGuinness that it would be wrong to ignore Ms Von der Leyen’s request that the names of a woman and a man be presented to her for her to make a decision.
“I’m not going to get into that speculation,” he said. “This is a decision that the Government must make, on behalf of the country. And the Taoiseach will make that decision when he is ready to do so. “
Meanwhile, Dublin Central TD and former Green Party leader Neara Hourigan urged the government to comply with the Commission Chairman’s request, saying that doing so would be “completely in line with promoting the role of women”, which was a declared goal of your party.
“We did not comply in the last process,” he said of a similar request when only Phil Hogan’s name was put forward for a second term. “I think now is the time to do it.”
The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan had a preliminary telephone discussion on the matter today, and will have a more formal meeting on the matter tonight when they can prepare a decision for ratification in Cabinet tomorrow.
Online editors
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