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THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT is set to approve Kevin Cardiff’s candidacy for the European Court of Auditors when MEPs vote on his nomination later today.
The parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg is virtually certain to back Cardiff’s nomination, with the two largest parliamentary groupings – the European People’s Party, of which Fine Gael is a member, and Labour’s grouping of Socialists and Democrats – both supporting him.
Today’s Irish Times reports that the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats – the grouping of which Fianna Fáil, and previously the Progressive Democrats, were members – is also set to give Cardiff its backing.
With the backing of those three groupings, Cardiff should enjoy the support of over 530 MEPs – giving him an easy majority in the 736-member parliament.
His approval will come despite the decision of the parliament’s Budgetary Control committee – which works most closely with the Court of Auditors – to offer a “negative opinion” on Cardiff’s nomination after his initial interview with it last month.
It is understood, however, that the EPP’s ten members of the committee voted against supporting Cardiff because they feared a potential conflict of interest between Cardiff’s work with the Department of Finance and his potential duties at the Court in Luxembourg.
Those fears have now been eased, meaning Cardiff is set to be backed by an overwhelming majority of MEPs in their ballot in Strasbourg between 12pm and 1pm (Irish time) today.
The final appointment is made by the European Council of heads of government, who are not due to meet again until the New Year following last week’s summit in Brussels.
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Here’s hoping he doesn’t get it.
I wonder does he have to do an aptitude test.. 1+1=2, 2+1=3 1/2 billion… Ok your in Mr. Cardiff.
Cronyism, strong and healthy.
And the beat goes on
So was the parliamentary committee meeting a mere charade that went wrong?
It is reassuring that the government thinks so highly of the worth of the Court of Auditors that both Kenny and Gilmore have been out lobbying. Of course, with employment falling, unemployment rising, emigration lacerating families and the cost of bailing out the debts of a few dozen people in a handful of banks bankrupting the nation, you might be forgiven for the absurd assumption that there are other issues more deserving of lobby time.
Unfortunately we can not vote on his appointment , but we can make our voices heard ,on sites like this. Cardiff should NOT get this job .He may be highly educated but if he can not put his hand up and say he was wrong, that he ,made mistakes then he is no good ! I don’t understand this government , after all they said and promised …. Kevin Cardiff , Ciaran Conlon , who is next ?
Did you vote in the European elections? If so that was your opportunity, unless you want to be heading to the ballot box everyday of your life. He is going to be democratically elected, however much you disagree with it.
Yes I voted in the European elections .It doesn’t mean I have to agree with every decision they make. Like this one . In MY opinion it is the wrong choice . It smacks of cronyism just like the FFai lures did in the past.
On the upside, there’s a rumour that the Count from Sesame Street is getting Cardiff’s job here! ;)
Just look at him, would you trust him with your hard earned dough?
He looks like a dough man…
If that’s the basis for how we make decisions, then god help us all…
@Donncha
1) What does God have to do with it?
2) if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then usually, it is a duck.
3) I can’t figure out if he looks like a sneaking burglar type or a rabbit in the head lights…
4) lighten up man!!!
and our new gov is the exact same as the last two
It hurts me to say it , but you are right . Very disappointing .
thats our new euro goverment in case your confused
Perhaps if our Taoiseach and Tanaiste would lobby as hard to get a better deal for Ireland as they did for Kevin Cardiff to get his job on the European Court of Auditors, then they might succeed in actually getting a much better deal than the current one that was forced on us!!
It’s called getting your priorities right, but then, I won’t hold my breath on that one!
The more things change, the more they stay the same and this Government is proving that adage to be true!
Where is the ‘Honest and Open Government’ that we were promised?
have your say