‘No tension’ between Ireland and the EU by Golfgate

“There is no tension” in the relationship between Ireland and the EU due to the fallout from the golf gate controversy, said Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

Martin emphatically rejected concerns raised by his own party colleague Jim O’Callaghan on Newstalk radio that the national interest has been hurt by Phil Hogan’s loss of his job as EU Trade Commissioner two weeks ago. .

“It has not damaged our national position at all. That is gross hyperbole. I just have to say it directly. That is not the case, I know that is not the case. As for the assignment, that’s the president’s business. I have had a good discussion with the president, but I am not going to anticipate the president’s decision, ”said the Taoiseach.

Martin said he will announce Ireland’s new EU commissioner “in the next two days.”

He added: “I have had good communications with Ursula von der Leyen. I have spoken to her on several occasions. There is no tension in relationships. There is a good understanding, I have a good personal relationship with the president.

“She fully understands the situation, how everything developed. An application has come to Ireland and Ireland will send two names. We will send strong candidates. We have always been, as a country, constructive members of the EU.”

“We have every right as a government to deliberate on these issues and those deliberations are ongoing. Two names and two strong candidates will be put up very quickly, within the next two days, ”he said.

Growing bewilderment and confusion within the government surrounds the process to appoint Ireland’s new EU Commissioner, particularly around the potential role of Minister Simon Coveney.

Sources at Fianna Fáil went to great lengths to say that the delay is “a purely Fine Gael internal matter” and that no lock has been raised on any of the four candidates now in the mix.

Possible candidates include Simon Coveney, Francis Fitzgerald, MEP for Dublin, Mairéad McGuinness, Vice President of the European Parliament and Andrew McDowell, Vice President of the Bank of the EU.

Senior government figures at Fine Gael objected to reports that Coveney is not expected to allow his name to advance to the position.

It had been claimed that this move would clear the way for MEP Maireád McGuinness to be nominated for the position.

However, Coveney did not withdraw his name at a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party on Wednesday night and has not commented on his position.

Sources have said they believe his enthusiasm is “cooling down” as it seemed more likely that he would not retain the commercial portfolio.

The Irish Examiner learned that in addition to Martin’s multiple conversations with the President of the EU Commission, Dublin officials have been in intensive contact with Brussels to probe which wallets are potentially available.