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Three high-level Fine Gael figures appear to be vying to replace Phil Hogan as European Commissioner for Ireland.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has asked the Government to send her the names of two people, a man and a woman, while pursuing a gender balance goal in her cabinet.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan discussed the matter on Monday, apparently without reaching a conclusion. The Government wants Ireland to retain the commercial portfolio, but this is not guaranteed in any way.
Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said Monday that he is not ruled out as a candidate.
However, he added that he would have to be convinced that it could add “significant value” to the country’s chances of raising Ireland’s profile at the EU level.
Mr. Coveney said that the Government and Mr. Martin were trying to establish whether that is the case.
Speaking to RTÉ, Mr. Coveney said he was part of the discussions taking place within the government about Mr. Hogan’s successor, but added that national politics was “and still is” a large part of his life.
When asked about reports that the government can only run one candidate for office, Coveney declined to comment, adding that it was a decision by party leaders.
Mr. Coveney said he believes a decision will be made on the matter “in the next few days.”
Fine Gael MEP and former Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald confirmed this Monday morning that she was interested in the position, acknowledging that it was a “difficult decision” for the Government. It is understood that she has conducted surveys in Dublin in recent days.
On Sunday, MEP Mairead McGuinness, vice-president of the European Parliament, confirmed that she was looking for the job.
Mr. Hogan resigned from his post following controversy over his attendance at an Oireachtas golf society dinner and questions about his moves in Ireland before and after in apparent violation of Covid-19 guidelines.
Sources in Brussels said that Ms McGuinness, a strong candidate for the next presidency of parliament, was highly regarded by Dr von der Leyen.
But Brussels sources also stressed that the Commission expected the government to nominate two names, a woman and a man, for the post, with the final decision in the hands of Dr. von der Leyen.
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