[ad_1]
The cabinet has proposed Mairead McGuinness and Andrew McDowell as candidates to replace Phil Hogan on the European Commission.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, will not be one of the Government’s candidates for the position of European Commissioner.
Andrew McDowell is a former advisor to Fine Gael and until recently Vice President of the European Investment Bank.
2017: Simon Coveney with Andrew McDowell, who has been selected as one of the candidates to replace Phil Hogan on the European Commission. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times
Mairead McGuinness is the First Vice-President of the European Parliament and has served as a Member of the European Parliament for the Midlands-North-West constituency since 2004.
The Cabinet held a disembodied meeting before lunch on Friday where ministers discussed the names of the two nominees.
The government wrote on Friday to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposing two candidates to replace Phil Hogan on the European Commission.
The government said it believes that “both are candidates of the highest caliber, possessing the competence, independence and European commitment to fulfill the role of commissioner with distinction.”
He said that Dr. von der Leyen will now consult with the European Parliament before the new commissioner is appointed.
“The question of the allocation of functions within the Commission is also a matter for 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 roles.
Hogan resigned as Ireland’s EU Trade Commissioner following controversy over his attendance at an Oireachtas golf dinner in Clifden, Co Galway and his moves in the country while visiting Ireland.
Dr. von der Leyen asked Ireland to submit the names of a woman and a man, in accordance with their 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.
Fine Gael MEP Frances Fitzgerald, who had expressed interest in the position, welcomed the government’s decision to appoint a man and a woman. She said both were “excellent” candidates and wished them every success during a “critical moment for Ireland and the EU”.
“Personally, I am humbled by the encouragement and support that I have received from so many during this period,” she said.
[ad_2]