Handbags at dawn: FG big wigs in Euro battle
Fitzgerald facing competition from McGuinness for plum Hogan post
FORMER Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald is facing serious competition within Fine Gael for the post of EU Commissioner – which carries a €250,000 salary, plus benefits.
Ms Fitzgerald has, much to the surprise of the incumbent Phil Hogan, become the hot favourite for the job. Mr Hogan took over the role in September 2014 and earns a six-figure salary, as well as a ‘residence allowance’ of 15% of basic salary – almost €37,500 – and a ‘representation expense’ worth nearly €7,300. The two allowances are not subject to tax.
Upon appointment, the EU Commissioner also receives a one-off ‘installation allowance’ of two months’ basic salary – in the region of €41,665 – which again is not subject to tax. But the former Justice Minister, who was forced to stand down over her involvement in the Maurice McCabe scandal, is believed to be facing competition from high-profile MEPs Brian Hayes and Mairéad McGuinness.
Within the party, sources close to Ms Fitzgerald have claimed that ‘the elevation of Frances is a done deal’.
However, while Ms Fitzgerald appears to have raced to the head of the list of Fine Gael candidates poised to challenge Mr Hogan, opinion is seriously divided and sources warned ‘this is not a done deal’.
‘Phil himself may have a few things to say; he has acclimatised very well to the European life, he is like a little king over there,’ said one source.
The Taoiseach, they added, ‘would want to be careful’.
‘Phil knows where a lot of bodies are buried in Fine Gael.’
But a week is certainly a long time in politics, and there is still a year to go before one of the cushiest jobs in Irish politics becomes available.
Another senior source said: ‘That Commissionership is a big treat. A man is set for life after that. It is never going to come easy to anyone.
‘For some there is a bit of a Michael D [scenario] looking for two terms surrounding it. Ten years of being Monsieur le Plus Grande Commissioner is a long time.’
‘Phil is like a little king over there’