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Foreign Minister Simon Coveney withdrew his name from consideration in the race to succeed Phil Hogan as European Commissioner, but was silent last night on his reasons for doing so.
Acting MEP Mairead McGuinness and Andrew McDowell, economic advisor to former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, were appointed by the Government as Irish candidates for Ireland’s vacant seat on the Commission.
The Government complied with the request of the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, that the names of a man and a woman be indicated.
Last night, he said, “I will interview you early next week about your qualifications for the job.”
Mr. Coveney, who was widely considered the frontrunner for a nomination, did not respond to questions about why his name did not come up, instead saying, “We have two extraordinary candidates here. I wish you both luck.”
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said: “Simon Coveney is someone of enormous ability and he certainly would have been a first-class commissioner had he decided to move on.
“For Ireland and for the Government, I am very happy that he is staying, frankly. He is someone we need, for the next stage of Brexit, due to the events in Northern Ireland, and someone that I think the Government needs to bring experience. , maturity and stability.
“So I am very glad that he did not submit his name.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was asked about what caused Coveney to remove his name from the race.
He said: “Minister Coveney clearly has a crucial role to play in relation to the Brexit situation, which is fast approaching and will be a pressing item on our agenda for the rest of the year in terms of some resolution that is optimal.”
Martin did not respond directly when asked if Coveney withdrew because Ireland is unlikely to hold onto Hogan’s business portfolio.
He said that the job the Irish commissioner got would be a matter for Ms Von der Leyen to decide.
Mr. Martin added: “Given the quality of the candidates that we have presented, I believe that we can obtain a substantial and quality portfolio.”
The Taoiseach denied that the proposal to send a single candidate to Ms Von der Leyen had been considered in defiance of her request.
The vacancy arose after Hogan resigned amid controversy over his attendance at last month’s infamous Oireachtas Golf Society dinner in Clifden, Co Galway.
Ms McGuinness, a four-term MEP and First Vice-President of the European Parliament, will now compete with McDowell, who recently served as Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), to be selected by the President of the Commission.
They both said last night that they were honored to be nominated.
Ms McGuinness identified the challenges facing the EU, including Covid-19, Brexit, climate change and trade. She said: “I will remain focused on contributing, regardless of position, to finding solutions and supporting the work of colleagues in Parliament and the Commission.”
McDowell said he looked forward to speaking with Ms Von der Leyen about “how I can contribute to a strong, fair and green recovery across the EU.”
Former Tanian Frances Fitzgerald had also received a hefty tip for a nomination.
He said that Ms. McGuinness and Mr. McDowell were “excellent candidates” and wished them “every success in the future.”
Fitzgerald said: “I have no doubt that the government has carefully considered the right mix of candidates and skills.”
Irish independent
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