Labour backs Eamon Gilmore as next EU Commissioner

Senior figures in the Labour Party are making a determined push to put Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore's name forward as Ireland's next European commissioner.

While Fine Gael party sources have argued it has long been accepted the next commissioner will come from Fine Gael and that the position has been earmarked for many months for Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan, senior members of the Labour Party have said no such agreement or understanding exists.

The new commissioner is likely to be named when Taoiseach Enda Kenny reshuffles the Cabinet in the days following the conclusion of the Labour leadership election tomorrow week.

Prospects

However, an appointment beforehand has not been entirely ruled out. If other countries rush to name their commissioners in coming days then the Taoiseach may move too, the aim being to maximise Ireland’s prospects of securing a good portfolio.

Yesterday, Labour sources said the identity of the person who would succeed outgoing commissioner Máire Geoghegan Quinn had not come up for any discussion whatsoever during the negotiations to form a Coalition in March 2011.

“After the Cabinet positions were agreed, [Labour] got the Attorney General and the ‘super junior’ [Minister of State]. Fine Gael got the ceann comhairle and the chief whip,” said a Labour source.

“But that was as far as it went. There was no discussion or decision on the commissioner job, other than maybe a mention that it was a topic for another day.”

Sources in the larger party have insisted that it was always a Fine Gael position and have also contended Mr Hogan would be a strong favourite for the agricultural portfolio, one which carries particular importance for Ireland.

Mr Gilmore’s supporters point to his status as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, which they argue would put him in a strong position to be appointed to one of the key economic ministries.

Public comment

Neither Mr Gilmore nor Mr Hogan have made any public comment in relation to the position, which will be decided by Mr Kenny.

However, yesterday Mr Gilmore gave a light-hearted hint that he was interested in the role. Asked at an Irish-France chamber of commerce event if he agreed with EU counterparts who said he would make a good commissioner, he replied: “I think they’re right.”

Mr Gilmore robustly defended his decision to take up the Department of Foreign Affairs portfolio in 2011 as he prepares to bow out of frontline politics.