Labour supports Gilmore as next EU commissioner

Eamon Gilmore looks likely to stay put in Ireland, despite strong public support from his successor, Joan Burton, for his candidacy for the role of Ireland’s next European commissioner.

Ahead of her talks with the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, on Monday morning, the new Labour leader said she wanted to underline that Mr Gilmore had “very serious qualifications for the job”.

Well placed sources in Brussels in recent days expect Fine Gael’s Phil Hogan to be nominated for the job, and the prize position of Agriculture Commissioner.