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TÁNAISTE MICHEÁL MARTIN has categorically ruled himself out of the running for the EU Commissioner job when Ireland next nominates one in 2024.
However, the Fianna Fáil leader has insisted that the country’s next commissioner must be nominated by his party.
Mairead McGuinness, the Fine Gael nominee who is currently the EU Commissioner for financial services, financial stability and capital markets union, has previously said she is prepared to serve a second term, with her current term expiring after the European elections in June.
Speaking to reporters at a roundtable interview in Dublin, Martin said that McGuinness has done “very well” as commissioner but added that there is a “clear understanding and agreement between the parties in government as to the nomination of the next commissioner – that it would be a Fianna Fáil nominee”.
Although he ruled himself out for the job, Martin would not be drawn on who a potential Fianna Fáil nominee would be.
He added however, that it wouldn’t necessarily be a Fianna Fáil party member.
“I think we’re going to deal with that closer to the time and we all have thoughts on that, other leaders will have ideas and so on like that, and others may have thoughts. But I am not going to deal with that until after the elections,” Martin said.
When asked if Fine Gael will push for McGuiness to have a second term, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he did not want to speculate on it at the moment and that the issue would be dealt with closer to the time a nominee is made in June or July.
He added that no detailed discussions have yet taken place between the two Government parties.
On whether it will be Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael who nominate the next Commissioner, the Taoiseach said:
“There’s no written agreement on that matter, there is on other matters but we’ll discuss that in June/July after the local and European elections.”
When pushed if there was an unwritten agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, the Taoiseach said: “Look, that’s all I am going to say for now.”
Martin also ruled himself out of a run for the Áras in 2025, when Ireland’s next presidential election will take place.
“No I am not saving myself for the Áras. I am very focused on what I am doing now as leader of Fianna Fáil and preparing – we have local elections, European elections, we have the mayoral election in Limerick, and we have a referendum in the first half of 2024.
“It’s going to be electorally and politically very, very active,” he said.
Martin said he didn’t believe that voters are interested in speculation about politicians’ futures.
“People want us to stay focused on the issues that matter for them on a policy basis. Now I keep telling my colleagues that as well and that to me is important; keep your feet on the ground, and the world changes very quickly.
“So I don’t think that far ahead to 2025,” he said.
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This work is co-funded by Journal Media and a grant programme from the European Parliament. Any opinions or conclusions expressed in this work are the author’s own. The European Parliament has no involvement in nor responsibility for the editorial content published by the project. For more information, see here.
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The man was part of a political party that broke a country. We went bankrupt and had to beg for a bail out. He walks around as if he is some hero. We lost 300 hundred thousand young people over seas during this time.And then has the audacity to call out the opposition in ireland who has yet to be in power.
@Jimmy Donovan: well I’m no fan of Fianna Fáil but Sinn Féin are worse – all populist and free houses for everyone and no mention of where the money is going to come from. Fairytale economics.
@Jimmy Donovan: yep, fair point and there is certainly a revision of history at play. However, are SF really the answer? How many young people left the island because of them and what financial gains have they ever brought to the island? Absolutely none of the parties are worthy of our vote and that is the biggest issue for me, some inviduals are, but none of the main parties, none.
@Harry Whelks: this will be changed when reality sets in while in power but I would prefer someone else getting a try after a hundred years of these two
@Harry Whelks: Perhaps the money could come from the same money tree that suddenly appeared for use by FFG …Surely you will recall FFG stated that the same money tree didn’t exist. As for housing FFG certainly failed in that department. You will surely also recall FFG stating borrowing was imprudent….Yet Billions have been borrowed and must be repaid along with the Billions still owed for the gangsterism of the banks and developers facilated by FFG. Bit hypocritical on your part to criticise the opposition.
Martin said he didn’t believe that voters are interested in speculation about politicians’ futures.
“People want us to stay focused on the issues that matter for them on a policy basis. Now I keep telling my colleagues that as well and that to me is important; keep your feet on the ground, and the world changes very quickly.”
They don’t be very focused at all between elections. All business when they need our votes and then spend the next 4 years making excuses on why things are not getting done.
A complete and total shambles.
@David Corrigan: Have you nothing new or interesting to say? The same nonsense every time that everyone says about every government everywhere. How about some policy critique, or my god, even some solutions?
@SYaxJ2Ts: Have you nothing else to do but follow me around? Seriously?
@David Corrigan: you’re not difficult to find, first in with your comments
@SYaxJ2Ts: You really do need to get a life or a hobby at the very least sonny.
@David Corrigan: you know best David
@SYaxJ2Ts: judging by the number of likes u got to David I’d say your position isn’t doing very well
@John Reynolds: I’m not here for likes – just as well says you
One couldn’t believe the time of day from Martin.
He’s a well known liar
@john dowdall: which would’ve made him a suitable candidate
@casio shock: This is the problem. An honest politician will get nowhere
If he told me today was Sunday I’d have to ask someone else
@David O Brien: just make sure there not in fianna gael either! There the one now.
As if he’d have any hope of getting that
@qffaffaf affrafrfraf: i agree. he obviously waited to be told he wasn’t getting the nomination to categorically rule himself out.
Good, can he take himself outta the running in the general election too.
Ah! The park! Watch out Bertie!
I suppose if micheal ran for a position in Europe, the ethics committees might be asking questions about how a developers money could be accidentally lodged into the personal bank account of his wife?
Who ruled him in??? Self infatuation!!
He is vermin
Under this cowboy yes man
According to the central statistics office
The Republic’s national debt stood at €224.8 billion at the end of last year, equating to €43,357 for every man, woman and child in the State, which is high internationally in per-capita terms.19 Oct 2023
What a shame.
Doesn’t represent me , one of the worst politicians ever, can’t be trusted
If sinn Fein do get into power and things don’t work out,so what, haven’t the Fianna failers form when it comes to bankrupting the country,not to talk about corruption
Oh Jesus..that’s a relief…I was worried for a mo.
CROOKS…. the lot of them, they’re all the same… no more free speech snowflake society… looking after the rich ignoring the irish, flooding country with illegals, homeless irish forgotten about no homes for them but if you are an illegal or Ukrainian nazi we’ll house and feed you give you everything you need, I suffer from long term illness and I get 90€ a week, The only hope for me now is going back to work and praying nothing happens me… I’ve been left with no choice but to go back to work and try put my illness to the back of my mind which isn’t easy believe me, while these self entitled crooks make millions at our expense, when is enough jus enough for the irish ppl, why are these crooks never held accountable in this country, you get berated if you’re irish but if its other ppl its gets hidden, how do irish ppl allow this to happen in 2023, have ye not seen the damage these parties are doing with their dictatorship
Aww. So he is going for it then.
Oh go on, give a job…. PLEASE
Hasn’t a brain bloody embarrassing lot
He should defo go for the job.
At last a politician who’s stepping off the gravy train before it’s reached its destination, unlike some previous party leaders et al
have your say