According to reliable sources from both the government and the European Commission, Michael McGrath, the ex-Finance Minister, is likely to be appointed as the upcoming European Union (EU) Commissioner for Justice. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is slated to announce this appointment, along with the rest of her commission team that each EU country has nominated, this upcoming Tuesday.
McGrath’s representation has been tipped for the justice commission role, which entails leading the EU’s work to address instances of member states violating the rule of law, such as past scenarios involving Hungary and Poland. The commissioner is also tasked with the enforcement of legislation like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The incumbent Commissioner for Justice is Didier Reynders, a Belgian politician.
On Monday evening, a conversation took place between von der Leyen and Taoiseach Simon Harris, keeping in line with her routine of speaking to nation’s leaders. The Fine Gael leader was notified about the developing structure of the commission team, as the task of appointing roles neared completion.
Despite the government’s consistent advocacy for a financial commission portfolio for McGrath, several challenges have hindered the possibility of Ireland securing such a prominent finance-aligned position. This includes Ireland’s refusal to respond to von der Leyen’s request for gender equality in the commission nominations by proposing one male and one female candidate. Additionally, von der Leyen did not receive support from Fianna Fáil’s four MEPs in the European parliamentary vote that approved her renewal as EU President for another term of five years.
After stepping down from his finance minister post in June, McGrath was nominated by the Cabinet for the role of EU commissioner. The final allocation of roles to each commissioner will be officially announced by von der Leyen on Tuesday morning after she has briefed the heads of the eight political groupings in the European Parliament during a Strasbourg meeting.