Geoghegan Quinn favourite to take top EC post

THE cabinet is expected to discuss Ireland’s next European Commissioner at their meeting tomorrow, while in Brussels the battle for Europe’s top jobs hots up.

The odds-on favourite for commissioner is former Fianna Fáil minister Máire Geoghegan Quinn who has been Ireland’s member of the EU Court of Auditors in Luxembourg for the past nine years.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is not expected publicly toannounce his choice until it’s clear that the Czechs are ready to sign the Lisbon Treaty to bring it into force.

The Swedish presidency of the EU indicated this was unlikely to happen in time for the EU leaders summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. While Czech President Vaclav Klaus said he liked the Swedish proposals on his demand for an opt-out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights, nothing was yet agreed.

Sweden’s Minister for Europe Affairs, Cecilia Malmstrom, said the Czech Constitutional Court hearing objections to the treaty today is likely to need a few extra days before giving its judgment. In this event, the Swedes are expected to call a special summit early next month to discuss the new Commission and decide on who gets the jobs of EU president and foreign representative.

Foreign Minister Micheál Martin said everyone was playing their cards close to their chest and not revealing their choices at a meeting in Luxembourg yesterday.

The Taoiseach has already said he favours Tony Blair for the top job of EU president, but a growing number of countries do not support Mr Blair mainly because of his support for the Iraq war.

Yesterday Italy reversed its earlier support for Mr Blair when their foreign minister said he may not be their first choice, as so many wereopposed to him.

At the weekend Britain’s foreign secretary David Miliband endorsed his former boss for the job of president, saying the EU needed a heavy hitter who would command respect and be listened to in world capitals.

He followed this up in Luxembourg yesterday when, before the foreign ministers meeting, he told journalists: “It would be very odd if Europe shirked from the need for strong leadership at this time. My own view is that Tony Blair, if he is a candidate, would be a very good choice. He is a persuasive advocate, he has a genuine European feeling and he is a real coalition-builder.”

Yesterday’s meeting approved the plan for the EU’s external action service that will be headed by the High Representative. He will have his own staff and budget and be responsible for EU foreign, security and defence policy. At least a third of his staff will come from member states, which Ireland wanted to ensure.