Taoiseach: Commissioner made DeBurca decision

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said he did speak to EU Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn about a job in her Cabinet for the recently resigned Green Party Senator Deirdre DeBurca.

But Mr Cowen said Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn decided not to employ Ms DeBurca after the Commission's acceptance by the European Parliament.

Ms DeBurca resigned two weeks ago, saying she had been assured she would get the job.

Speaking in the Dáil, the Taoiseach said it was a matter for the Commissioner, not him.