Member states being 'non-committal' on candidates for new EU positions

EU LEADERS are being “non-committal” in soundings about the new post of EU Council president and are filtering their views through the rotating presidency, currently held by Sweden, the Dáil has been told.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said the “process has not been marked by intensive lobbying on behalf of individual candidates as heads of state and government are understandably concerned not to undermine whoever is eventually appointed to the post”. He said the timetable for establishing the new commission “may now stretch into January 2010”. The portfolios for commissioners, including Ireland’s nominee Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, would not be decided until the appointee to the second new position of high representative (“high rep”) for foreign and security affairs was confirmed.

Mr Martin also said the European People’s Party, of which Fine Gael is a member, “is producing all the candidates, although many of them have not announced themselves officially” and “the grouping itself must work something out”. He added former British prime minister Tony Blair, from the Socialist grouping, was also a candidate: “People are keeping their cards very close to their chests, particularly the leaders of the leading countries, including France and Germany.”

He hoped there would be a development at tonight’s meeting because it was important “that there be clarity and certainty”.

Candidates include former taoiseach John Bruton, currently the EU’s ambassador to the US, and Belgian prime minister Herman van Rompuy, who is “emerging as a very credible candidate if one is to believe the soundings.

“Jan Peter Balkenende, the Dutch prime minister, was an early candidate mentioned frequently at the council on the last occasion it met. Jean-Claude Juncker has vast experience also, as does John Bruton.”

Pat Breen (FG, Clare) accused the Minister of “lukewarm” support for Mr Bruton’s candidacy, a claim Mr Martin rejected as “unfair”, insisting “I have been a strong admirer of Mr John Bruton, particularly in his role as EU ambassador to the United States”.

The Taoiseach had made known his high regard and support for the former taoiseach “who has expressed his availability for the position”, Mr Martin said. Officials in his department and in the Department of the Taoiseach “have made direct approaches to their counterparts in other EU member states, to make clear our support for Ambassador Bruton. I have also discussed the issue with colleagues at the General Affairs and External Relations Council, confirming my support for Ambassador Bruton.”