Proinsias de Rossa MEP : Why not a woman Commissioner?

Issued : Thursday 10 September, 2009



'Why not a woman Commissioner?' asks Proinsias de Rossa MEP



Speaking at the Labour Women's meeting today with Commissioner Wallstrom, Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa said: "One of the most important guarantees which Ireland has received following the rejection of Lisbon last year was the commitment of all 27 Member States' Governments that Article 9 of the Lisbon Treaty will be used to maintain the right of each member state to nominate a Commissioner. To ensure that we avoid losing that right a YES to Lisbon is essential.



"At the moment, a debate is raging in Europe about whether Manuel Barrosso will be supported by the European Parliament. This debate has not happened here even though who becomes Commission President and what their agenda will be, will have serious consequences for Ireland and Europe over the next five years.



"Equally we have had no debate about the person the Irish Government will nominate as the Irish nominee for the Commission and what their agenda will be, even though that also will have serious consequences for Europe. Quite frankly, neither Ireland nor Europe can afford the appointment of another Commissioner with Charlie McCreevy's politics, who consistently resisted effective European regulation of financial institutions.



"We need to nominate a Commissioner who will be fully committed to the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty reforms, to promoting the urgently needed policies on job creation, and better social, environmental and financial regulation.



"This issue is every bit as important as the other big issues we are debating and I believe the European Affairs Committee of the Dail should immediately set in train a debate on these matters."



Why not a woman Commissioner?, de Rossa asked. Commissiner Wallstrom echoed those words : 'We should have women in the top positions in Europe.There are women who are competent and up for the job.'