It is a question of "que sera sera" on whether the Government will allow Mr Padraig Flynn a third term in Europe, the EU Commissioner has said.
On a visit to Belfast yesterday to address a European Commission conference, Mr Flynn would not be drawn on the controversy over the alleged Gilmartin payment of £50,000 to him. He also said he had no regrets about his appearance on last week's Late Late Show.
When asked if he was disappointed that senior Fianna Fail sources had stated he would not be reappointed, Mr Flynn said there was as yet no vacancy for the position. Such a vacancy would arise at the end of this year.
It was absolutely essential, no matter who was appointed, that the Irish Commissioner's voice be heard in Europe. "Any other matters relating to that will take their course - que sera sera," he said.
He added later: "I am the Commissioner. I have a hugely responsible job, a huge work programme. And I am going to get on with it. And I want to leave behind me, whenever I go, I want to leave a . . . very good work schedule completed."
He said he did not regret his Late Late Show appearance. Following comments Mr Flynn had made on the programme, Mr Tom Gilmartin, the UK-based property developer - who has alleged he gave £50,000 to Mr Flynn in the late 1980s - said he was reconsidering his decision not to co-operate with the Flood tribunal. When asked about Mr Gilmartin's allegation, Mr Flynn told The Late Late Show: "I never asked or took money from anybody to do favours for anybody in my life." In Belfast yesterday, Mr Flynn would make no comment on the Gilmartin allegation.