Geoghegan-Quinn Nominated For European Commissioner

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen has finally announced this afternoon that Máire Geoghegan-Quinn will be the Government's nominee for appointment to the next European Commission.

Ms Geoghegan-Quinn, who is currently the Irish member of the European Court of Auditors, said she had been offered the position by the Taoiseach 12 days earlier and had accepted immediately.

Announcing the appointment in the Daíl today, Mr Cowen said: "I am pleased to announce that the Government are nominating Máire Geoghegan-Quinn as the next Irish Commissioner.

"She has been an exemplary Member of the European Court of Auditors for the past nine years and, prior to that, held a number of key Ministerial positions in the Irish Government.

"Her combination of experience and qualities make her particularly suited to serving as European Commissioner."

The appointment has however led to some speculation over whether Ms Geoghegan-Quinn's selection was related to her gender, while also raising questions over her past roles.

A letter from European Commission president José Manuel Barroso sent out before the appointments were made alluded to nominations of woman who are currently underrepresented in the commission would lead to portfolios with more clout being awarded.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael's spokeswoman on European Affairs Lucinda Creighton congratulated the new commissioner but questioned her relationship with anti-Lisbon campaigner Declan Ganley, saying their working relationship would have to be clarified.

"The Taoiseach needs to come out immediately and clarify whether Máire Geoghegan-Quinn as a former minister for communications sat on the board of one or more of Declan Ganley’s companies, and if so, which companies, for how long and in what capacity," she said.

In the Daíl, the Taoiseach congratulated and thanked the outgoing Irish Commissioner, Charlie McCreevy, for his contribution.

Ms Geoghegan-Quinn will be paid an annual salary of €238,918 in her new post.

(DW/BMcC)