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Foreign Minister Simon Coveney will not be Ireland’s new EU commissioner and the government will introduce the names of Mairead McGuinness and former Fine Gael adviser Andrew McDowell.
According to government sources, the Cabinet held a disembodied meeting before lunch today where the names of the two nominees were discussed and approved by the Ministers.
After the meeting, the Taoiseach wrote to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, with the two names for her nomination as a member of the European Commission.
The government statement read: “The government believes that both are candidates of the highest caliber, possessing the necessary competence, independence and European commitment to play the role of Commissioner with distinction.”
“In accordance with the provisions of the European Treaties, President von der Leyen will now consult the European Parliament before the Council appoints a new Commissioner, in agreement with the President of the Commission.
“The issue of assignment of duties within the Commission is also up to President von der Leyen. However, the Government firmly believes that both candidates have demonstrated the experience, skills and ability to serve and contribute in the most demanding situations. roles “.
Ms McGuinness is seen as the front runner for the position, as Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told her parliamentary party that she would be a politician appointee rather than an official, as is the case with McDowell.
He has just completed his four-year fixed-term mandate as Vice President of the European Investment Bank.
According to sources, Coveney’s interest in the position dropped significantly in the past 48 hours when it became clear that he would not retain the commercial portfolio and the government would introduce two names, one female and one male.
Coveney’s silence and refusal to formally discard has sparked some anger and Brussels-based sources have criticized “secondary channel” discussions to see what portfolios were on offer.
“The Commission and President Ursula von der Leyen were furious at the approach that was being taken,” said a source.
Hogan resigned as Ireland’s EU commissioner after controversy over his attendance at an Oireachtas golf dinner in Co Galway, revealed by the Irish Examiner, as well as his movements in the country during his visit to Ireland.
President von der Leyen asked Ireland to submit the names of a woman and a man, in keeping with his priority of seeking gender balance in the commission.
The role that Ireland will play in the EU Commission to replace Phil Hogan depends on the “powers” of the names presented, the executive said.
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