EU: Ireland's new European Commissioner, Mr Charlie McCreevy, has told the European Parliament he will serve the European cause with the same determination he applied to his career in Irish politics writes Denis Staunton in Brussels.
During a three-hour hearing before the Internal Market and Economic and Monetary Affairs committees, Mr McCreevy acknowledged that he had a reputation as an obstinate politician.
"Those of you who know me will know that I defend my point of view vigorously. This has given me the reputation of being stubborn. When it comes to matters of principle then I am persistent.
"I have always defended what I believed to be in the best interests of those I am asked to represent," he said. "If my nomination as Commissioner for Internal Market and Services is confirmed I will bring the same determination to my new responsibilities."
Mr McCreevy, whose appointment must be approved by MEPs later this month, said he would cut red tape and only introduce new laws which would benefit the European economy. "Over-regulation for the sake of over-regulation is not for the good of business," he said. "I'm a great believer in having proper regulation but not oppressive regulation."
Mr McCreevy made it clear he remained committed to free markets and was implacably opposed to the harmonisation of tax rates in the EU. He promised, however, to consult MEPs on controversial measures such as the Services Directive, which some fear will open up trade in services at the expense of social standards.
Mr McCreevy cited Ireland's experience as evidence of the importance of a properly functioning internal market for economic growth in Europe.
"Ireland's economic success is not only the result of pursuing the right economic policies; it is in no small part due to Ireland successfully exploiting the opportunities of a vast single market," he said. "Most member-states' markets are simply too small to support a dynamic economy. Economic success therefore requires a properly functioning internal market."
Stressing that he was a pragmatic politician rather than a narrow ideologue, Mr McCreevy issued a stout defence of free-market principles as the best route to a prosperous and a fair society.
"I am a practical man, I believe in creating opportunities for growth and competition in the market. Healthy competition makes our companies stronger and more successful in an increasingly global market place," he said. "We need a strong economy to create more jobs and generate wealth to enhance our living standards across the continent. A strong economy will earn us the means to invest in the education of our children, in our healthcare and to pay for pensions for the elderly."
Most MEPs were impressed with Mr McCreevy's performance, which won praise even from his political opponents. The Socialist group last night recommended that Mr McCreevy's appointment should be approved and the British Labour MEP, Ms Arlene McCarthy, said she looked forward to working with him.
"As a horse-racing fan, Commissioner-designate McCreevy did well to complete the course; he cantered round, didn't fall at any of the fences but there are major hurdles ahead. He will inherit a lot of unfinished business and it will be a true test of his pragmatic and practical ability to deal with these dossiers," she said.