Kevin Cardiff has said there are many more people than he, with a lot more at stake, awaiting the outcome of job interviews, and that the focus should be on getting the economy running again.

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.

Kevin Cardiff will today face questions over his suitability for a job at the European Court of Auditors.