Questions surround basis for selecting Ireland’s next EU commissioner

By David Young, PA

Questions surround the basis for selecting Ireland’s next EU commissioner, after the Taoiseach and Tanaiste appeared to offer contrasting opinions the issue.

Micheál Martin said there was a “clear understanding and agreement” that the nominee would be selected by Fianna Fáil.

Leo Varadkar said there was “no written agreement” on the matter and declined to be drawn when asked if there was an unwritten agreement.

Mr Martin and Mr Varadkar were speaking at their respective end-of-year media briefings.

The term of Ireland’s current EU Commissioner, Mairead McGuinness, comes to an end next summer.

Ms McGuinness, a Fine Gael member, has previously signalled a willingness to serve a second term.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste were asked at their briefings about Ms McGuinness continuing in the role.

Mr Varadkar replied: “Look, we’ll cross that bridge in June or July when the time comes, we haven’t had any detailed discussions about it since.”

Pressed on whether he would like to see his party colleague serve another term, he added: “Like I say, I’m not going to go speculate on that at the moment. There’s a lot can happen between now and next June, July, and that’s when the Government makes a decision.”

Asked if it was his understanding that Fianna Fáil picks the nominee, Mr Varadkar said: “There’s no written agreement on that matter, there is on other matters, but we’ll discuss that in June, July, after the local and European elections.”

Asked if there was an unwritten agreement on the issue, he said: “Look, that’s all I am going to say for now.”

When Mr Martin was asked whether he would be open to Ms McGuinness taking on a second term, he said: “I think Mairead McGuinness has done very well as commissioner, but there’s a clear understanding and agreement between the parties in government as to the nomination of the next commissioner – that it would be a Fianna Fáil nominee.”

Mr Martin made clear he was ruling himself out as the nominee.

Asked who the nominee should be, he added: “I think we’re going to deal with that closer to the time, and we all have thoughts on that, other leaders will have ideas and so on like that, and others may have thoughts.

“But I am not going to deal with that until after the elections.”

The Tanaiste was asked whether a Fianna Fáil nominee had to be a member of Fianna Fáil.

“Not necessarily,” he said.

Mr Martin was also asked whether he had considered standing for the Irish presidency in 2025.

“No, I am not saving myself for the Aras,” he said.

“I am very focused on what I am doing now as leader of Fianna Fáil and preparing, we have local elections, European elections, we have the mayoral election in Limerick, and we have a referendum in the first half of 2024. It’s going to be electorally and politically very, very active.”

He said people were not interested in speculation about politicians’ futures.

“People want us to stay focused on the issues that matter for them on a policy basis,” he said.

“Now I keep telling my colleagues that as well and that to me is important; keep your feet on the ground, and the world changes very quickly.

“So I don’t think that far ahead to 2025.”