Unexpected delay in naming Ireland's next EU commissioner

Simon Coveney confirmed he is willing to take the role. Picture: PA

An unexpected delay means Taoiseach Micheál Martin will have to wait until today to declare who Ireland’s next EU commissioner will be.

It was understood that a meeting of the three party leaders in government — Mr Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan — on Monday night would have seen the issue finalised, with Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney selected.