Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When I say that the European Parliament elections should be respected and reflected in the composition of the senior positions, the bottom line is that the European People's Party, EPP, was returned as the largest single political group, followed by the socialist group and the liberal group. Just as in the aftermath of a Dáil election, parties get together and make decisions. That is what has happened here. There is a balance here. It is not one side or the other. There are multiple sides in the European Union with different perspectives and there is a wide spectrum. The socialist group, through António Costa, is expected to get the President of the European Council, replacing Charles Michel. The liberal group, through the Prime Minister of Estonia, is signalled to get the post of High Representative. President von der Leyen, as the lead candidate of the European People's Party, is to get the job of President of the Commission. That is a reflection and the manifestation of what transpired in the election.

There are other groupings. The ECR is annoyed, but I am sure its views are not views Deputy Carthy would agree with. That is the reality of the situation. We must now focus on making sure that Europe in all its institutions is competent and coherent over the next five years, with a proper balance of perspectives and views, as reflected by the multiparty system there.

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