RUNNERS AND RIDERS IF IT’S A FF-ONLY RACE
THE European Commissioner’s job is, outside of being Taoiseach, the most coveted post of all and with an estimated worth of half a million euro a year, it’s certainly more lucrative.
Unsurprisingly, competition can be intense, especially in a Coalition Government. So, who are the favourites, the dark horses, and the non-runners?
FAVOURITE
Charlie McConalogue
Like the rest of his career, from being a TD to a minister, the Quiet Man of Donegal has appeared from nowhere. Agriculture is a good brief for generating European contacts. Likely to be rather lower in profile than Phil Hogan, which helps, especially if Ursula von der Leyen is back in charge. Odds: 6/4 on
ON THE RAILS Michael McGrath
Though he is joint favourite with McConalogue, the job is his if he wants it. McGrath may be looking at other alternatives – if he is prepared to be Micheál’s apprentice for another five years. It’s a prospect that makes Europe appear mighty tempting. And he is certainly being cryptic about it all.
Odds: Evens
DARK HORSE
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
The spritely former justice minister and EU commissioner is emerging as a possible candidate. She has been absent from politics for a decade but would tick a lot of progressive boxes for a leader who is seeking to burnish his somewhat thin feminist credentials.
Odds: 50/1
NON-RUNNER (?) Micheál Martin
An Tánaiste has ruled himself out of the Commissionership with a lack of enthusiasm last seen in Irish politics when Jack Lynch accepted the Taoiseach’s job ‘backing away’. Consequently, no one will be taking him off the chalk board just yet, least of all any of those primed to follow. Odds: 66/1