Taoiseach defends right to pick commissioner

TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has insisted it is the Government's prerogative to appoint a new EU commissioner after Labour leader Eamon Gilmore told the Dáil "this is an office that should not be in the gift of the Government".

Fine Gael and Labour had shown "a great deal of political generosity", the electorate voted for the Lisbon Treaty despite "their dislike of the Government" and there should be consultation and agreement on the appointment, Mr Gilmore said.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said there were "a number of people I could recommend who would guarantee this country a senior portfolio", but Mr Cowen said the Opposition should respect that it was up to the Government to decide, although he would consider their suggestions.

The Taoiseach said he was "not suggesting the commissioner would be appointed a representative of the Government. The commissioner will be a representative of the country." But, he added, "with respect, the suggestion that if the person to emerge were a member of my party or the Government or a supporter of the Government, it would in some way disqualify them or make them less qualified than some other way of doing it is not fair or just or a proper way to approach the issue".

The issue arose as speculation mounted about possible contenders, including Pat Cox, former president of the European Parliament, former taoiseach John Bruton, currently the EU's ambassador to the US, and former minister Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, currently a member of the European Court of Auditors.

Mr Gilmore understood contacts were under way between the Government and the commission and "it is intended to progress this during the month of October".

Mr Cowen said "I hope everybody understands and accepts that the prerogatives of Government apply to this Government as they did with previous administrations."

If deputies "have suggestions to make on a private basis, I will consider them.

"However, the prerogatives of the Government in this matter should be respected."

Mr Gilmore, however, did not accept that it should be "in the gift of the Government". He said "last Friday's decision was made by the people and the Government should respond to that. A great deal of political generosity was shown by Fine Gael and the Labour Party in respect of support for the treaty and by the people who went to the polls last Friday and voted to ratify the treaty despite "their dislike of the Government.

"Now that the referendum is over, there should be consultation on the appointment of the commissioner," he said.

Mr Cowen said: "I am open to hear any views he has on the matter but the question of agreement would suggest that the prerogative of Government in some way required the deputy's agreement and consent. This was not afforded when the Labour Party was in government or by any other government."

When Mr Gilmore accused him of "splitting hairs", Mr Cowen insisted he was not, adding that "in a spirit of generosity" he was open to hearing suggestions. "That is a fair and honest assessment of the situation."

He stressed that "to suggest that I require his agreement in respect of a nominee is outside the prerogative of the Opposition".