The Irish Times - Tuesday, February 9, 2010

McCreevy has no plan to return to Irish politics after stint in EU

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ARTHUR BEESLEY

OUTGOING IRISH EU commissioner Charlie McCreevy has no plans to return to the domestic political fray following his departure from the EU executive. However, he has left few clues as to his intentions after Brussels.

Although Mr McCreevy’s professional background in accounting and his experience as minister for finance and internal markets commissioner suggest he may receive offers in the business world, he has made no public comment.

“I can confirm that he is on the record that he is not going to return to politics. That’s about all the information I have,” said his spokesman. “He hasn’t announced anything and he hasn’t shared anything with us.”

Mr McCreevy will be succeeded in the internal markets portfolio by Michel Barnier, the French nominee. Today’s vote will also confirm EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton as a vice president of the commission.

The competition post goes to Joaquin Almunia, the Spaniard who is outgoing economics commissioner.

Olli Rehn of Finland assumes the economics brief.