Early decision on new EU Commissioner urged

The Government must appoint a new EU Commissioner soon in order to secure influence in Brussels, it was claimed today.

Internal Markets Commissioner Charlie McCreevy is due to conclude his five-year term next year but the Taoiseach said no decision has yet been made on his successor.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny told the Dáil that an early appointment was necessary to ensure Ireland gets an important portfolio.

EU leaders at last week’s European Council summit agreed that Ireland can retain its commissioner if voters ratify a re-run of the Lisbon Treaty referendum next year.

Health Minister and former Progressive Democrats leader Mary Harney is one of the names being mentioned for the plum EU position.

Mr Kenny told the Dáil: “This country’s reputation has been somewhat damaged in the past 12 months and I think it would be very important that an early and strong nomination would be made in order to secure a priority commissionership.”

The Opposition leader asked if Brian Cowen was turning his thoughts to the early nomination of a commissioner to represent the country assuming that voters endorse the Lisbon Treaty in a referendum.

But the Taoiseach replied: “No, I haven’t been tuning my mind to the issue of the next commissioner.”

The retention of an Irish EU commissioner in Brussels was one of the key issues discussed by Mr Cowen with EU leaders in the run up to the European Council summit.

Mr Cowen today told the Dáil that keeping an Irish representative in the European Commission remained a “real concern” for Irish people.

“There was not doubt that it played an extremely significant part during the referendum campaign and that a change was necessary in order to respond to the feeling among the public that the loss of a commissioner represented a considerable loss of influence.”

He added: “Only if Lisbon enters into force will Ireland and each member state keep a commissioner.”