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The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced that Mairead McGuinness will be the new European Commissioner for Ireland after a competition with Andrew McDowell.
It will take over the portfolio of financial services, financial stability and capital markets union if approved by the European Parliament.
In making the announcement to nominate Ms. McGuinness, Ms. Von der leyen said, “You have great qualifications and my complete confidence for this position.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that “I had no doubt that [Ms McGuinness] he will serve with distinction and play a key role in the work of the Commission. “
I propose @MaireadMcGMEP as a future commissioner of financial services. You have excellent qualifications and my complete confidence for this position. Now it is up to the EU Parliament to organize the hearings. Executive vice-president @VDombrovskis will assume the commercial portfolio. pic.twitter.com/OwGxwvpBad
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 8, 2020
Former Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis has been given the Trade portfolio, which was left vacant following the resignation of Phil Hogan.
Mr. Hogan resigned following controversy over his moves while in Ireland and his attendance at an Oireachtas Golf Society event in Clifden on 19 August.
Dombrovskis has been overseeing the trade since Hogan left.
He will now formally assume command at a time when the bloc is embroiled in difficult Brexit negotiations with Britain, faces trade tensions with China and the United States, as well as seeking to rally around a new leader for the World Trade Organization.
Ms Von der Leyen had invited the Irish Government to put forward suitable candidates for a replacement commissioner, requesting the appointment of “one woman and one man”.
The Government nominated Ms. McGuinness and Mr. McDowell for the position.
Ms McGuinness represents the North West Irish constituency in the European Parliament.
His MEP seat will be filled by Louth Cllr Colm Markey from Fine Gael.
Ursula, President of the EU Commission @vonderleyen announces new EU Commissioner for Ireland, replacing Phil Hogan https://t.co/AZ9dCPqUPc
– RTÉ News (@rtenews) September 8, 2020
Before becoming an MEP, she was a well-known journalist, broadcaster and commentator and hosted Ear to the Ground on RTÉ.
She was elected First Vice-President of the European Parliament in January 2017 and re-elected to the post in July 2019.
McDowell was a former chief economic adviser to the government from 2011 to 2016, and worked closely with then-Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
Until recently, he had been Vice President of the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg.
I congratulate my colleague @MaireadMcGMEP on his nomination for @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen to be the next Irish Commissioner. I have known Mairead for many years and I am sure she will do a fantastic job. I wish you every success.
– Andrew McDowell (@AMcDowell) September 8, 2020
Among the first to congratulate Ms McGuinness was Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, who had been linked to the position.
In a tweet, she said: “Congratulations to Mairead McGuinness on becoming the new EU Commissioner … she will do a great job.”
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar described it as “an excellent date for Ireland in an excellent portfolio”.
He added: “Thanks to Andrew McDowell for submitting his name, another great candidate. Ireland is fortunate to have people of this caliber representing us at the European level.”
congratulations to @MaireadMcGMEP on her appointment as European Commissioner in a major financial portfolio. It is a great day for her and her family. I have no doubt that you will perform with distinction and will play a key role in the work of the Commission. 🇮🇪 🇪🇺
– Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 8, 2020
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