Politics

Ireland will not provide second EU commissioner candidate if requested for gender balance, says Harris

Taoiseach ‘taking every opportunity’ over coming days and weeks to lobby for high profile commission brief for country

Taoiseach Simon Harris (top left) with other European leaders ahead of the first day of the European council summit in Brussels on Thursday. Photograph: Benoit Doppagne/Belga Mag/Belga/AFP via Getty

Jack Power in Brussels
Thu Jun 27 2024 - 14:25

Ireland does not plan to nominate a second candidate, alongside former minister for finance Michael McGrath, for its next European Commissioner role, regardless of whether a gender balance of two names is requested as expected, Taoiseach Simon Harris has said.

National leaders of the 27 EU countries are holding a key summit in Brussels, where Ursula von der Leyen last night won their support for a second term as European Commission president.

Speaking on his way into the meeting on Thursday, Mr Harris said there was a “clear consensus” that leaders would be backing Ms von der Leyen, following which she will need to be confirmed by a majority of MEPs in the European Parliament.

If Ms von der Leyen is successful in that parliament vote in July, she is likely to then request at least two names, a man and a woman, from each country as nominees for their next EU commissioner, to try to achieve a gender balance of appointments in what would effectively be her commission cabinet. The allocation of commissioner jobs will likely take place in the weeks after the vote in parliament, if Ms von der Leyen is successful.

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Mr Harris said Ireland would not be sending two names, but sticking with Mr McGrath as their sole nominee. The Fine Gael leader said he did not believe sending only one name would hurt Ireland’s chances of landing a strong commission portfolio.

“I’m aware president von der Leyen may seek the name of a man and a woman. Ireland has done that in the past, on occasions Ireland has sent one name, on occasions Ireland has sent more than one name. On this occasion, and respectfully in accordance with the treaties, we have taken the decision to send one name,” he said.

Ireland is seeking a finance-related commission portfolio, but is likely to face competition from several other EU countries. The plan to put forward a single name for the next Irish commissioner could lead to a clash between the Government and Ms von der Leyen’s team, if she secures another five year term.

Mr Harris said there was an “advantage” in being one of the first countries to publicly name their intended nominee. “I think it is a symbol of intent in how serious we take the European Union that we would send one of our most senior politicians,” he said. Mr Harris said he would be “taking every opportunity” over the coming days and weeks to lobby for a high profile commission brief for Ireland.

The EU treaties were clear that the pick of who to nominate for each countries’ EU commissioner was a decision for national government, he said.

“Our position from an Irish point of view on the name of Ireland’s commissioner is settled,” Mr Harris said.

Jack Power

Jack Power

Jack Power is acting Europe Correspondent of The Irish Times

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