Howlin forcefully endorses Gilmore as friction rises over commissioner

Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin has forcefully outlined Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore's credentials for the post of European Commissioner and said he is "obviously a candidate worth considering" because he knew "every senior player in Europe".

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan, a close political ally of Taoiseach Enda Kenny, also wants the post.

However, in a move that has the potential to cause friction between the Coalition partners, Mr Gilmore’s name has been put forward by senior figures in the party.

As he entered Cabinet this morning, Mr Howlin said he did not know if there had been discussions between Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Mr Gilmore in relation to the matter.

"But obviously there is a number of outstanding candidates, Eamon Gilmore being one of them," he said.

Mr Howlin described Mr Gilmore as "somebody who is the current leader of a major political party in the country, who would have contacts across the European Union, all the social democratic parties and who also has held the post of Foreign Minister, so he would know every senior player in Europe".

Mr Gilmore “would obviously be a candidate that is worth considering”, Mr Howlin added.

Asked if Mr Gilmore would be the best man for the job, Mr Howlin said: “If you look objectively at it I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.”

The Taoiseach was asked whether he had made any decision on the European Commissioner job as he entered Cabinet this morning.””I hear all kinds of speculation,” Mr Kenny replied.

However, he said he could “certainly not” confirm anything with regard to the post yet.

Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said securing the best Commission portfolio was the most important issue at stake.

“We’ll have a new Tánaiste in a couple of days time and I think the Taoiseach and Tánaiste will have to sit down and make decisions that are best for Ireland in terms of the right person for the job as Irish Commissioner,” Mr Coveney said on his way into Government Buildings.

“And obviously then to fight for the right Commissionership for Ireland, which I think is the most important issue here. It’s not just about the personality and who gets that appointment.”

Newly-elected MEP and Minister of State at the Department of Finance Brian Hayes declined to be drawn on the recent association of Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness' name with the position.

“I’m not going to add to the speculation,” he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme.

“There are pluses with a lot of people. The important thing is to get not just the personality but the right mix of policies so that we can get the country to a better place,” Mr Hayes said.

Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy today urged the Government to look outside usual old boys club when it came to choosing the new Commissioner.