McGrath in pole position to take up plum €270k role in Brussels
FINANCE Minister Michael McGrath is now in line to be Ireland’s nominee to the European Commission next year, the Irish Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Mr McGrath’s party leader and constituency colleague, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, had been tipped to take up the prestigious €270,000 a year post.
But with Fianna Fáil expected to play a key role in the formation of the next government, with either its current Coalition partners or with Sinn Féin, Mr Martin is determined to lead his party into the next election.
With no sign of his leader standing down, senior Government sources this weekend said Mr McGrath has expressed enthusiasm for the EU commissioner role.
Current commissioner Mairead McGuiness’s term is due to end next summer, and it is open to the Fianna Fáil leadership to nominate her successor as part of a foundation Coalition deal with Fine Gael.
With Mr Martin set to continue on as leader, the opportunity to be the next EU Commissioner has passed to the next most senior man in Fianna Fáil.
In the event of Mr McGrath taking up the post, it is understood current Junior Transport Minister
Jack Chambers, who sits at Cabinet and has impressed colleagues, would be a leading candidate for promotion to the Department of Finance, albeit for what would be a short period before the next General Election.
One minister who is known to be a close supporter of the leadership told the MoS: ‘Now that it is accepted that Micheál [Martin] is going nowhere, we have to fill this position from within the party.
‘This has become possibly the most prestigious, and lucrative, position in Irish politics and we cannot let it go outside the party.’
In recent weeks, when it became apparent Mr Martin was no longer a runner for the EU role, supporters of Cork-based MEP and former minister, Billy Kelleher, were hopeful he would be nominated.
But one source noted: ‘It became clear Billy was not going to get it, and he was informed of this. In tandem it was made known within the upper echelons of the party that McGrath was enthusiastic.’
Fianna Fáil sources close to Mr McGrath said his position has shifted in recent months and echoed he is now keen about becoming the next commissioner.
Mr McGrath, Fianna Fáil’s most senior politician after his constituency colleague and party leader, is considered the prime contender to succeed Mr Martin.
‘Michael knows his history and with Micheál [Martin] now looking as if he wants to go on, he is in danger of becoming Fianna Fáil’s
Anthony Eden to our Winston Churchill,’ a cabinet source said, in reference to the former British prime minister who spent 13 years as Churchill’s heir apparent before his disastrous and short-lived premiership.
‘Michael McGrath got top marks in his accountancy exams, so he’ll crunch the numbers in an instant. If Micheál leads Fianna Fáil into the election, it is highly likely the party will be in the conversation when it comes to forming a coalition, be it with our current partners or Sinn Féin.
‘So Micheál remains leader, perhaps a rotating Taoiseach again, for at least another six years. Micheál is convinced he’s Benjamin Button and is as energetic as ever.
‘That is a long time out in front
for McGrath as leader contender. After the next election, there will be other politicians who have become more established yet will have youth on their side, like Jack Chambers.
‘Also, if we get more women elected to the Dáil, the time is approaching where we will have to have a woman leader. It makes little sense for McGrath to turn down the position.’
Fine Gael ministers – who accept the next commissioner will be a Fianna Fáil appointment – said they have pressurised their Coalition partners to make a decision.
One Cabinet source told the MoS: ‘It is a vital period in European affairs, with war in Ukraine and the shockwaves from Brexit. We wanted stability and a good candidate. It was never questioned that this was to be a Fianna Fáil appointment, but we did want to see it done competently and with speed.
‘We will have to let the Commission know our intentions by early spring, and we need everything in place by the European elections in June.’
A new European Commission will be formed in July 2024.
Mr McGrath currently sits on the European Central Bank board and is understood to have become enthused by his dealings in Europe.
The finance minister, who has a large, young family, would earn a basic salary of €270,000 – along with a very generous expenses package – as EU Commissioner. His EU earnings would also be subjected to a far lower tax rate than in Ireland.
The commissioner’s financial package is far in excess of what the Taoiseach earns, and comes with a less precarious tenure, as they are guaranteed at least five years per term.
Mairead McGuinness’s predecessor Phil Hogan was unusual for a commissioner in that he was forced to resign before his term’s end after he became embroiled in Covid-19 related controversies.
Mr McGrath’s candidature would also be attractive to Fianna Fáil locally – his brother Séamus is an active county councillor in their Cork constituency and would be hotly tipped to take his sibling’s seat in any by-election.
If a general election was called within six months of Mr McGrath stepping down in July 2024, a by-election would not be required. However, Séamus McGrath would still be expected to stand for Fianna Fáil in his brother’s stead and capitalise on the family’s popularity in Cork South-Central.
‘Most lucrative position in Irish politics’
‘Micheál is convinced he’s Benjamin Button’