Ursula von der Leyen 'seething' as Coveney's interest in EU gig waned

Mairead McGuinness is favourite to take the EU Commissioner role. Mairead McGuinness, MEP with Michel Barnier pictured at the EPP conference on Brexit in Druids Glen Hotel, Wicklow in 2017. Picture: Don MacMonagle

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney will not be Ireland’s new EU Commissioner as the government has put forward the names of Mairead McGuinness and former Fine Gael advisor Andrew McDowell instead.

According to government sources, the Cabinet held an incorporeal meeting before lunch on Friday where the names of the two nominees were discussed and approved by ministers.