EU: The President of the European Parliament, Mr Pat Cox, is standing down as an MEP after 15 years but has made clear that he believes his future lies in another role in Europe. Addressing the Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday for the last time as President, Mr Cox did nothing to dispel speculation that he hopes to join the European Commission.
"Europe has been the cause of my political life. I will continue serving the cause in any way that I can," he said.
Speaking to a crowded chamber that included most members of the European Commission, with members of his constituency organisation in the visitors' gallery, Mr Cox said that the European Parliament had shown during the past five years that it can make a difference.
"The key message of this mandate, in my view, is that the European Parliament has shown itself to be a mature and reliable legislative partner for Council and Commission, and has emphasised at all times the primacy of politics," he said.
Mr Cox thanked the people of Munster, his own supporters and his family, before receiving a standing ovation, followed by tributes from the leaders of the main political groups.
Mr Hans-Gerd Poettering of the conservative European People's Party, said that Mr Cox could be proud of his record since becoming president in 2002.
"You combine the best traditions of your own country, the Republic of Ireland, with those of the European idea. You will always be regarded as one of the great Presidents of the European Parliament," he said.
The leader of the Greens, Mr Daniel Cohn-Bendit, said that Mr Cox had been "exemplary", both as an MEP and as President.
The Dublin MEP, Ms Mary Banotti, who is also leaving the European Parliament after 20 years, was among many Irish representatives to praise Mr Cox.
"He has been an outstanding President on a whole lot of levels but particularly in communicating the Parliament. I think he'd be a terrific Commissioner but that's obviously in the Taoiseach's gift," she said.
Mr Cox has been identified by some commentators as a possible successor to Mr Romano Prodi and the Taoiseach has indicated that he would nominate the Munster MEP if he appeared likely to be chosen as Commission President.
Mr Cox declined to speak to Irish journalists yesterday but he told German television that he was interested in Mr Prodi's job.
"It's not a job you can apply for but if it were possible to apply, you would have a candidate in front of you now," he is reported to have said.
The Green MEP, Ms Patricia McKenna, accused the Taoiseach of acting disingenuously in offering offer his support to Mr Cox on condition he secured the Commission Presidency.
"While I am not a supporter of Pat Cox or his politics, I have to say that within the EU institutions he is held in high esteem. He would be given an important portfolio if appointed as Ireland's new EU Commissioner. However as he is unlikely to be appointed Commission President, it's disingenuous of the Taoiseach to say he would support him, but only if he got that post", she said.
The Munster MEP, Mr Gerard Collins, said that Mr Cox was among the best qualified candidates to succeed Mr Prodi hand had a good chance of securing the job.
"Pat is extremely well regarded by the heads of state and government and when it comes down to the crunch, I think he would stand on a par with any of those suggested at the moment. He has all the attributes necessary. If I were asked to compare him, ability-wise, politically, with Romano Prodi, to me, he'd be well ahead of Romano Prodi," he said.
The DUP leader, Mr Ian Paisley, praised Mr Cox, saying that neither he nor "the Ulster people" had any complaints about the departing President.
"I think he would make an excellent member of the Commission because I don't take this idea that if you haven't been in government, you can't do government work. He's a young man. He has plenty of ability. I think he'd be an excellent Commissioner," he said.