EU Commission nominee Michael McGrath interviewed by Ursula von der Leyen

Cork South Central TD said he believes the meeting 'went well'

Michael McGrath, the former finance minister, confirmed in a statement that he had been interviewed by Ms von der Leyen on Tuesday at the Berlaymont building in Brussels. File picture

EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has formally interviewed Ireland’s nominee, Michael McGrath, as preparations get under way for the new college of commissioners.

Mr McGrath, the former finance minister, confirmed in a statement that he had been interviewed by Ms von der Leyen on Tuesday at the Berlaymont building in Brussels.

The Cork South Central TD said that he believes the meeting “went well”.

“President von der Leyen was naturally very familiar with my CV and we had a good discussion about the major challenges facing the EU over the next five years,” Mr McGrath said.

"She afforded me the opportunity to set out what contribution I believe I can make to the work of the commission over that period.”

Mr McGrath also spoke about how Ireland had been “transformed” by EU membership, adding that he was looking forward to “bringing this experience and perspective to bear” within the commission.

“I acknowledged the difficult task she has in considering all the competing demands when forming her commission, and I assured her I would play a positive and constructive role as a member of her team, subject of course to the ratification process that lies ahead,” he concluded.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Picture: Laurent Cipriani/AP Photo

The meeting between the two comes as Ms von der Leyen prepares to provide commission nominees with their portfolios, after which they will face scrutiny at hearings within the European Parliament.

In recent months, there has been some speculation that Ireland could be snubbed for a top commission portfolio, after the Government declined a request by Ms von der Leyen to nominate both a man and a woman.

Earlier on Thursday, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that Ireland had put forward a “very strong nominee” in Mr McGrath, but that there had been no back and forth with the European Commission ahead of his nomination.

Mr Martin said that he believes that Ms von der Leyen will pick a team that “meets the needs of Europe for the next four to five years”.