‘Sabre rattling’ on EU job won’t work says FF
Taoiseach’s comments on the Commissioner post dismissed by Fianna Fáil as Fine Gael sources argue McGuinness is in line for bigger job in a second Von der Leyen term
DIVISIONS between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil over the coveted European Commissioner post have increased amidst conflicting claims about the future prospects of current Commissioner Mairead McGuinness.
Tensions initially developed after Leo Varadkar sparked a potential Coalition dog fight by declaring there was no deal on a Fianna Fáil successor to Ms McGuinness, who is currently the European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union.
He was responding to the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin’s claim there was 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’.
However, the Tánaiste’s position was contradicted by Mr Varadkar, who insisted: ‘There’s no written agreement on that matter.’
This has prompted anger in Fianna Fáil, but sources in Fine Gael were also critical of the Taoiseach. This is a row that does not need to happen, one told the Irish
‘Leo is a bit of a political slow learner’
Mail on Sunday. ‘It’s another case of Leo letting his lip run when he could see the stop sign,’ they said.
‘We have no more chance than the man in the moon of convincing Fianna Fáil to gift us this post.’
Fianna Fáil were equally dismissive of the Taoiseach’s positioning, with one senior party source pointing out: ‘It’s sabre-rattling out of boredom. It is not being taken seriously’
Another Fianna Fáil source said: ‘Leo is a bit of a political slow learner. That cage-rattling didn’t work on tax, or on Paschal staying in Finance and it won’t work here.’
FF backbencher Michael Moynihan also dismissed the Fine Gael positioning as ‘just bluster and bluff’, adding: ‘It’s the same as all that about Paschal and he having to be kept to maintain our position in Europe. It holds the same water.’
Despite Fianna Fáil fury, Fine Gael sources have now claimed that Ms McGuinness’s
‘special relationship’ with current EU President Ursula von der Leyen means she may not be returning from Brussels after all when her term finishes.
Ms von der Leyen will be eager to keep her in Brussels, they said, adding: ‘Nothing will be decided until after the elections. But if von der Leyen is returned, then it’s game on. Von der Leyen could not
VARADKAR: NO DEAL WITH FIANNA FAIL ON TOP EU POST
stand Phil Hogan. ‘That’s what did for him over Golf-gate, not Leo or Martin. ‘By contrast, von der Leyen and McGuinness are very tight. If she [von der Leyen] gets in for a second term, Mairead would be in line for a very senior position.
‘The possibility of such a prestigious post has been made very clear to Fianna Fáil. It has been referenced.’
But there is also unease within Fianna Fáil over the consequences of selecting the two current favourites for the post – and party heavyweights – ministers Michael McGrath and Charlie McConalogue.
One source told the MoS: ‘We are a little stuck for talent. Does anyone want Darragh O’Brien to be the Minister for Finance leading us into the election?’ Another Fianna Fáil source warned that if McGrath were to go, there is ‘the tricky question of who replaces him’.
They said: ‘Jack Chambers is the best qualified. But whoever is
picked will put a few egos out of joint. Do we need a reshuffle and all that goes with that?’
The uncertainty has also generated speculation about a surprise return to politics by former EU Commissioner, Máire GeogheganQuinn. And other members of the party have not ruled out a ‘surprise’ return by Micheál Martin to the EU Commissioner jobs’ market – if the local elections results are dismal.
Meanwhile, in response to queries from the Irish Times on whether he would like the job, Finance Minister Michael McGrath enigmatically observed: ‘Who knows what the future holds? I love the job that I’m doing and I’ve only been Minister for Finance for a year.’
Minister McGrath also warned: ‘I’ve always been very sanguine about these things. Life is very unpredictable. Who knows where any of us will be later on this year. And I’ve always taken the view that I cross every bridge when I come to it, and that is not one that has arisen at this point.’
One Dáil veteran said: ‘That wasn’t so much opening the door a little as giving it a good boot.’