Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton has reiterated the Government's support for Kevin Cardiff to be appointed to the European Court of Auditors.

The outgoing Irish representative on the European Court of Auditors wrote an email criticising Kevin Cardiff, his proposed replacement, it has emerged.

The Government is to challenge MEPs who rejected its nomination of a senior finance chief to a top job in Europe, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has claimed.

The Cabinet will today discuss the decision of MEPs to reject the Government's nominee to the European Court of Auditors.