Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As expected, there was a shift to the right across Europe in the recent European Parliament elections, with migration and the response to climate change emerging as key issues during the campaign. However, it seems the centrist coalition has held, by and large. The coalition is made up of the European People's Party, the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats and Renew Europe, and it remains to be seen if the Greens or the European conservatives and reformists will also join any new coalition in the Parliament. All of this will determine the future policy direction of the EU and, of course, how the top positions will be filled. It seems to me, despite what we just heard from other Deputies, and despite her initial response to the Israeli-Hamas war, that Ursula von der Leyen is set to become Commission President again. The Taoiseach discussed these matters at a special European Council meeting yesterday. Various names are being mentioned in the media for the posts of Council President and foreign policy chief, as well as the President of the European Parliament. What is the Taoiseach's approach to these issues? When will Ireland's next EU Commissioner be announced? It is generally accepted that the earlier the name is known, the better for securing a significant Commission post. If the Taoiseach would like to name the Irish Commissioner now, I am sure the House would welcome any information he can give in that regard.

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