Walsh claims he never sought plum EU post

AGRICULTURE MINISTER Joe Walsh bizarrely claimed yesterday that he was never interested in the European Commissioner’s job, despite his recent pronouncements indicating the absolute contrary.

After Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said Charlie McCreevy was his only candidate for the €250,000 a year post, Mr Walsh said he was not disappointed to be overlooked.

Mr Walsh is hotly tipped to be ditched from the Cabinet in the forthcoming reshuffle and in the past 10 days uncharacteristically developed a wide media profile as he made a number of public proclamations leading to suggestions his bags were packed and he was ready to go to Europe: