Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Does the Taoiseach expect there will be discussion at the summit about the appointment of the new Commission? I refer to two issues in particular. First, I understand the current President of the Commission has indicated his wish to serve a second term. Does the Government support such a second term? Does the Taoiseach expect that the issue will be discussed at the summit?

The second issue relates to the appointment of the wider Commission. My understanding is that it is intended that each member state will appoint a Commissioner if the Lisbon treaty is ratified. Does the Taoiseach expect there will be discussion with regard to the timing of the appointment of the new Commission? Does he expect that arrangements will be put in place for the appointment of an Irish Commissioner and, if so, when?

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