Taoiseach urged not to ‘retire Tánaiste to Brussels’

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has been urged not to pick Tánaiste Mary Coughlan as our next European commissioner in a bid to diffuse an internal Fianna Fáil row.

Sitting MEP Proinsias De Rossa said he was reacting to “strong suggestions” Ms Coughlan would replace Charlie McCreevy when the commission’s term expires later this year.

Mr De Rossa said it may be attractive for Fianna Fáil to deflect the criticism the Tánaiste has received from within her own party by moving her to Brussels but this would be the wrong move for the country.