Quinn ‘not expecting’ Brussels job

Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn today rejected any suggestion that he was likely to become the next Irish Commissioner.

"I got the job I wanted nearly three years ago," he said during a press conference this afternoon at the Department of Education and Skills about the success of Deis schools.

“ It is a job that I manifestly enjoy doing. I want to continue doing that job,” he said.

When questions persisted and he was asked would he ever have any interest in the job he again turned the idea down.

"You know at one stage I wanted to run for Ireland in the Olympics. That didn't happen. At another stage I wanted to be Tánaiste. That didn't happen," he told reporters.

“ I never thought I would enjoy education as much as I have and am enjoying doing.”

He was not expecting to be offered the portfolio by Eamon Gilmore.

“I was very surprised he asked me to do it. It had never crossed my radar that it would be a job I would possible do in politics and I have found it absolutely fascinating and stimulating. And I just want to continue doing that,” he said.

It was reported this morning that Mr Quinn has been named by senior European Commission sources as the frontrunner for the post of EU Commissioner next year.

A senior Government source said no decision on the next commissioner will be made until next May’s elections.