EU: The European Commissioner, Mr David Byrne, has announced he will step down at the end of his current term in November, to return to private life in Ireland. Mr Byrne, who is responsible for Health and Consumer Protection, said that, after seven years in public life - first as attorney general and later as commissioner - it was time for a change.
"I've decided I don't want to spend another five years here doing this job or indeed another job in the Commission and therefore the time has come to move on," he said.
Mr Byrne, who was believed until recently to be willing to serve another term in Brussels, told the Taoiseach of his decision last weekend.
"I think he was a bit disappointed but we talked about this some months ago and I indicated to him that my mind was moving against rather than for. He understands why it is I am doing it and he doesn't have any quarrel with it," he said.
Mr Byrne's responsibility for food safety cast him into the spotlight shortly after he arrived in Brussels when the BSE crisis broke.
Yesterday he announced a controversial decision to authorise Bt11, a form of genetically modified sweet corn, ending a six-year moratorium on GM foods in the EU.
Mr Byrne said the aspect of his job he has enjoyed most has been the capacity to bring forward proposals and see them approved by EU member-states and the European Parliament.
"I've particularly enjoyed the health aspect of the portfolio, and being the first Commissioner for Health has been something that's been quite a challenge and I'm proud of.
"That I found very interesting," he said.
Mr Byrne ruled out a career in Irish politics but said he had yet to decide on his next career move.
He said that he expected to draw on his legal background, either returning to a career in the law or entering the business world.
Commissioners are not allowed to take jobs in any business connected to their portfolio for at least a year after leaving office.
Mr Byrne said he was not aware that anyone has been earmarked to succeed him as Ireland's commissioner but suggested that the choice should fall on someone with good health, a capacity to work long hours, a capacity to master briefs - and tenacity.
"I think this job is very interesting in the sense that it's at a crossroads. It is a political job but you're not an elected politician. That sometimes is used as a criticism.
"I actually see it as a bit of an advantage because, not being elected, but nonetheless being accountable, you have a degree of independence that's helpful. I think that's a big advantage to the Commission in the way it does its work," he said.
Mr Byrne suggested that his successor should ideally be someone with experience of government systems and a knowledge of how an administration functions.
"You have to have that feel that bureaucrats have, to understand systems of law and understand the public service and how the thing works, but having sufficient political feel to get out there and convince people," he said.