Democratise the Commissioner selection process
Issued : Wednesday 13 May, 2009
Statement by Proinsias De Rossa
Launching the Labour Party's European Election Manifesto today, Dublin Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa has demanded that the selection process for appointing the next Irish EU Commissioner be opened up to Dáil and public participation.
"The appointment of our next Commissioner is too crucial an issue to be left to the internal cloak-and-dagger politics of Fianna Fail. The whole selection process needs to be made transparent and democratic. Public hearings to identify what agenda and portfolio the applicants for the Commissioner job will pursue should be held and a final decision on the nominee made by a vote of the Dáil. The Commissioner's role is simply too important for the wider public not to have a say in what agenda any Irish nominee will follow.
"In the past our Commissioner has been selected on the basis of who needs to be retired or pushed to the sideline. This modus operandi has failed both Ireland and Europe. Along with a more democratic selection process, Labour is pushing for the creation of a 'Jobs Supremo' in the Commission, and for any future Irish nominee to seek that position.
"A jobs commissioner would head up an ambitious investment strategy for the refocusing of EU financing instruments, such as the Structural Funds towards investments with an immediate positive impact on jobs and new growth. Investing in energy efficiency, public services and education and training opportunities would boost employment and sustainable economic recovery."
