Fianna Fáil Finance Minister Michael McGrath is expected to be nominated as the next European Commissioner for Ireland.
This decision was reached by leaders of the Government parties on Monday evening and is anticipated to receive formal Cabinet approval this morning, following Taoiseach Simon Harris’s presentation of the nomination.
According to RTÉ News, the Taoiseach is set to emphasise the significance of appointing a highly qualified individual to the European Commission. He is expected to collaborate with McGrath and the other government coalition leaders to ensure a favourable Commissioner portfolio is secured.
Current portfolios include Climate Action, Innovation and Research, Environment, Crisis Management, Equality, Justice, and more.
Ireland’s Mairead McGuinness currently holds the position of Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union.
Having served as Irish Finance Minister for the past 18 months, Michael McGrath has represented Ireland at the Eurogroup and the Economic and Financial Affairs Council. He also serves as governor on various international bodies, such as the European Investment Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank.
It therefore seems likely that he would be in the running for one of the more prominent economic Commissioner positions.
An announcement regarding McGrath’s successor at the Department of Finance is expected today, with Ministers of State Dara Calleary and Jack Chambers being considered likely candidates for the position. Notably, the latter was just appointed as Fianna Fáil Deputy leader in recent weeks.