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29/10/2009
Irish Commissioner Selection Begins
Taoiseach Brian Cowen is holding talks in Brussels focusing on who will be the next Irish commissioner representing Irish interests in the EU.
Currently, the favourites for the crucial role are European Parliament member Pat Cox and Máire Geoghegan Quinn, who is a member of the European Court of Auditors.
Mr Cox was a leading member of the European Liberal and Democrat Group (ELDR) as an MEP and the group is expected to give the appointment of Cox their support.
However, in the case for Ms Geoghegan Quinn it has emerged that European Commission president, José Manuel Barroso, wrote to Mr Cowen among a number of other prime ministers to suggest that they should consider appointing a woman, as they are underrepresented in the European parliament.
The appointment will be under discussion as part of a gathering of EU leaders in Brussels during a two-day summit, expected to also include the issues of climate change and ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer has said President Vaclav Klaus, who is the treaty's only remaining obstacle, has pledged to sign the treaty if EU leaders grant the Czech Republic an opt-out from the Charter of Human Rights.
Mr Fischer hopes to negotiate the opt-out at the Brussels meeting, which would be similar to exemptions secured by Poland and Britain.
President Klaus, who is a euro-sceptic, is the only EU leader who has not signed the treaty.
(DW/BMcC)
Currently, the favourites for the crucial role are European Parliament member Pat Cox and Máire Geoghegan Quinn, who is a member of the European Court of Auditors.
Mr Cox was a leading member of the European Liberal and Democrat Group (ELDR) as an MEP and the group is expected to give the appointment of Cox their support.
However, in the case for Ms Geoghegan Quinn it has emerged that European Commission president, José Manuel Barroso, wrote to Mr Cowen among a number of other prime ministers to suggest that they should consider appointing a woman, as they are underrepresented in the European parliament.
The appointment will be under discussion as part of a gathering of EU leaders in Brussels during a two-day summit, expected to also include the issues of climate change and ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer has said President Vaclav Klaus, who is the treaty's only remaining obstacle, has pledged to sign the treaty if EU leaders grant the Czech Republic an opt-out from the Charter of Human Rights.
Mr Fischer hopes to negotiate the opt-out at the Brussels meeting, which would be similar to exemptions secured by Poland and Britain.
President Klaus, who is a euro-sceptic, is the only EU leader who has not signed the treaty.
(DW/BMcC)
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Voters Should Not Misuse EU Treaty Vote
Irish people should not 'misuse' the forthcoming plebiscite on the European Treaty as a way of showing their ill favour with the Government. The current EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevey has warned that voters must not use the upcoming referendum on the EU treaty as an opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the Government.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Scattered sleet and snow showers will turn increasingly heavy and more frequent in the afternoon across the north. Largely dry with sunny spells in the south, but showers spreading here towards the end of the day. Maximum temperature 4 °C.Tonight:Frequent, often heavy showers of rain, sleet and snow will affect most parts this evening and overnight, but are likely to be most frequent across the northeast. Minimum temperature -1 °C.
