Walsh hotly tipped if Ireland wins EU farm portfolio

THE prospects of Joe Walsh becoming Ireland's new EU Commissioner improved in the past week.

His elevation is contingent on the European Commission's new president José Manuel Barosso offering the agriculture portfolio - which includes fisheries and rural development - to Ireland, however.

Sources in Brussels predict that while France and Germany will lay claim to key economic posts, the agriculture portfolio, which accounts for 48% of the EU budget, could be offered to Ireland.