Barroso reshuffle welcomed by EU Parliament leaders

European Parliament leaders have welcomed a reshuffle of the incoming Commission, indicating that Mr José Manuel Barroso's new…

European Parliament leaders have welcomed a reshuffle of the incoming Commission, indicating that Mr José Manuel Barroso's new team will be approved by MEPs within two weeks.

Mr Barroso announced the changes at the EU summit in Brussels last night, just over a week after he withdrew the Commission from consideration by MEPs rather than face certain rejection.

Ireland's commissioner, Mr Charlie McCreevy, is not affected by the reshuffle and will remain in charge of the prestigious internal market portfolio.

Italy's Foreign Minister, Mr Franco Frattini, will replace the controversial Mr Rocco Buttiglione, who stepped down last week as justice and home affairs commissioner. Latvia has replaced its nominee, Ms Ingrida Udre, who faced criticism from MEPs, with Mr Andris Piebalgs, who will become energy commissioner.

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Hungary's Mr Laszlo Kovacs will move from energy to taxation, the portfolio originally earmarked for Ms Udre.

The President of the Commission, Mr Barroso, said: "Last week, I heard the Parliament's message. I 'stopped the clock' to avoid an unnecessary crisis. We now have a good solution."

The President of the European Parliament, Mr Josep Borrell, said Mr Frattini, Mr Piebalgs and Mr Kovacs may face parliamentary hearings next week so that MEPs could vote on the new Commission on November 17th.

Leaders of the Parliament's two largest political groups, the centre-right European People's Party and the Socialists, welcomed the changes. The Socialist leader, Mr Martin Schulz, said democracy was the winner in the conflict between the Parliament and the new Commission.

"José Manuel Barroso has clearly listened to Parliament's legitimate concerns. His decision today should provide the required basis for broad-based support in the European Parliament to approve the new Commission," he said.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Ahern, said last night the Government was "delighted" that Mr McCreevy remains the internal market commissioner-designate. Despite earlier speculation that Mr McCreevy could replace Ms Neelie Kroes in the powerful competition post because of the Dutch businesswoman's perceived conflicts of interest, Mr Ahern said he was glad this had not happened.

"We were very happy with the position that we got and we are more than happy that Charlie is staying in the position." Mr Ahern said the internal market job "has more relevance and resonances" with Ireland than competition.

Mr Barroso will meet leaders of the Parliament's political groups today to agree a timetable for fresh hearings and to assess the level of support for his new line-up.

The Fianna Fáil MEP, Mr Brian Crowley, who is joint leader of the small Union for a Europe of Nations, said MEPs should respond to Mr Barroso's reshuffle in a spirit of co-operation and understanding.