Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The nomination of the Irish Commissioner to serve as a member of the next College of Commissioners will be taken by the Taoiseach and Government in due course.

Following the election by the incoming European Parliament of the new Commission President, which is expected to take place in July, I expect the new President to begin working with member states who will designate Commission nominees from their countries.

I expect this process of consultation will take place in the succeeding weeks in July and August in order for the new President to build up a team and for all the Commissioners-designate to attend hearings in the European Parliament in September to October, prior to the Parliament's own vote of consent.

What happens is that governments suggest candidates and they become Commissioners designate. They then have to go through a hearing system in the European Parliament, something I have taken part in previously as a member of that parliament, which involves a fairly robust questioning process. The European Parliament then decides whether to approve the College of Commissioners. That is the way it will work and I am not aware of anything in the confidence and supply arrangement that is linked to the selection of Ireland's next European Commissioner.

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