Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

On the Commissioner issue, that is obviously a function of the Executive and in due course the Taoiseach will take that decision. All of the activities of the Government in this direction will be to secure an important position for Ireland in a new Commission. Of course, we must pass the Lisbon treaty first. If we seek a position of clout, a prerequisite would be the need to endorse and support the Lisbon treaty. Without this we would enter uncertain territory because we would then operate under the Nice treaty parameters which could potentially mean that we may not get any position. I am not saying that will be the case but some states will not get any, although we do not know which states.

The European Parliament has a very strong role now in vetting the nominees for the role of Commissioner. In the domestic tradition the post has been selected from among those with an executive function which could lead to a debate or commentary here. We do not have a process of formal hearings nor will we end up with hearings for those nominated for the post.

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