AT A time when a fresh departure was required to rescue the battered reputation of Irish politics, it is disappointing that Taoiseach Brian Cowen should revert to type by nominating a Fianna Fáil insider as Ireland's new commissioner in Brussels. On the basis of her ministerial record in government and her 10-year membership of the European Court of Auditors, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn can be expected to perform competently in her new role. But more was expected of this appointment. It should have marked the transition to a more open and creative system of administration.
The importance of the position, in terms of public perception, was emphasised when the loss of an Irish commissioner was identified as a cogent reason for the rejection of the first Lisbon referendum. Correction of that situation through negotiations at the highest level in Brussels represented a considerable success. By now treating the appointment as a party-political gift, Mr Cowen has sent the wrong signal to Europe and to the Irish electorate.
It may be that the Taoiseach's standing at the head of his party is so insecure that he could not risk providing ammunition for disgruntled backbenchers by going outside of the Fianna Fáil camp for a candidate. But the more likely reason is that he operated to the clientelist maxim that "all other things being equal, the Fianna Fáil person gets the job". In any event, the exercise failed to reflect in any cogent way the all-party approach that helped to ratify the Lisbon Treaty at the second time of asking. It was especially designed to have no impact on Dáil support levels. And it offered no evidence to Opposition party leaders that their contributions had the capacity to alter Government thinking as they embarked on a special pre-budget debate.
As the first woman to hold a Cabinet post since the foundation of the State in 1922, Ms Geoghegan-Quinn has been no stranger to controversy. Having switched allegiance from Charlie Haughey to Albert Reynolds, her career faltered and then recovered when Mr Reynolds became taoiseach. Appointed minister for justice in 1993, it is to her credit that she introduced a range of law reforms, including the decriminalisation of homosexuality. But, having announced she would contest the leadership against Bertie Ahern when the position became vacant, she found she was no match for the future taoiseach at political in-fighting. Support for her withered at parliamentary level and her Dáil seat came under intense pressure. Rather than face the electorate, she retired in 1997. Two years later, Mr Ahern mended fences by appointing her to the European Court of Auditors.
Fianna Fáil spokesmen championed her cause on the grounds that president Jose Manuel Barroso had requested that a number of women be nominated to the new commission. Ms Geoghegan-Quinn is a woman of considerable ability. Ireland needs a commissioner who can secure an influential portfolio; who is committed to Europe and who can repair the recent damage caused to our image. We wish her well.