European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen
Earlier, Govt sources said issue would not be discussed at Cabinet this morning, but @MichealMartinTD @LeoVaradkar and @EamonRyan would meet again later today re assessing candidates
— Paul Cunningham (@RTENewsPaulC) September 1, 2020
This morning.
She’s really Leyen down Der law.
Suit yourselves.
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none of them are any use to this country anyways.
Simone Coveney as a compromise, perhaps?
I can’t see them risking a By-election in CSC
And making SF the biggest party in the Dáil
Do you?
Can you explain why you think SF would win in Cork South Central?
In the last election we got party 1st preference percentage, and seats won:
FF 35.46% [Martin, Micheál & McGrath, Michael]
SF 24.60% [Ó Laoghaire, Donnchadh]
FG 21.27% [Coveney, Simon]
GP 9.41%
I don’t see it arising at all. It seems like Coveney is looking for an assurance that he’ll land the Trade Commission if his name goes forward. I doubt that will be forthcoming.
I suspect a bilderberger wouldn’t want to waste political capital on coming second best or just landing the Commission gig for Neighbourhood and Enlargement or Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid.
Tell Ursula she can choose between Simone and Francis Fitzgerald?
Truly think Coveney is the best wo/man for the job.
If he goes, FG don’t have a credible replacement for the bi-election. Also, he’s being primed as the future leader of FG and possible Taoiseach.
I think Jerry Buttimer is the other FGer in his constituency? Though I’m not sure about that.
The Senator was his running mate alright
But they could run Michelle Obama there
And they still won’t win the seat in the By-election Coveney’s transfer to the Commission would open up
Can’t see it
And Coveney would be a fool to leave Foreign Affairs now
My tenner is still on Regina
A place bet on Mairead – she’s the best candidate in fairness
And maybe Ciaran Cuffe as the token gender balance Candidate
Gender fight
Ok, I rarely comment on political matters, but I feel the need here.
I think that it would actually be a dangerous precedent for the Government to offer up 2 candidates, of whatever gender. The current EU rules state that it is the Member States who appoint Commissioners, and the Commission under its President can assign posts.
To accede to this is the removal of that authority from the Member State, in this case, Ireland. I can accept and indeed laud that President von der Leyen is trying to ensure a best fit, and a gender balance. But the underlying authority of the State should not be undermined.
I think a single appointee should be presented, and then President von der Leyen can decide how best they fit in the Commission she heads, and assign them a position accordingly.
We had a couple of referendums where the Irish people very clearly said they did not want to be dictated to by the EU (even if in the end the Eu got most of its way)
As a result, I think the Taoiseach should clearly state “this is our single appointee”
As a result, I think the Taoiseach should clearly state “this is our single appointee”
Couldn’t agree more. Can I just have the best person for the job please. This gender nonsense is becoming farcical. Gender bias necessity or positive discrimination is still just that. Discrimination. Can the world pleeeeeeeease move beyond this posturing phase of re-balancing the order and just skip straight to best people for the job in hand. I think we’ll find a pretty even split if its left to common sense
Genuine question re Simon Coveney…
There’s a general belief that he’s done well for Ireland on Brexit. But is this really the case? Britain has left the EU, there’s a withdrawal agreement but no great progress on its implementation nor on that of the future trading arrangements between Britain and the member states. Indeed, there’s a strong possibility that we’re all heading towards a catastrophic no deal at the end of the year. Of course, none of this is his fault but there seems little in the way of genuine achievement on his part.
Added to this is his mediocre – at best – stints as Minister for Agriculture and later, as Minister for the Environment. Achievements here seem scant.
Dull diligence aside, what have we got?
He seems well briefed and speaks succinctly and clearly on BBC radio: he represents us well.
He also seems sincere, which is unusual.
There isn’t a particularly high bar in politics these days.
Fair enough. But you’d like to think there was more.
I do think the gender issue obscures a more fundamental question about ability and competency. It seems that the Government favour a politician over a technocrat for the role which rules out a nomination for another eminently qualifier and skilled nominee, David O’Sullivan. In terms of substance, Coveney comes nowhere, I think.
https://www.steptoe.com/en/lawyers/david-osullivan.html