Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

In light of the impending appointment of a new European Commissioner, what steps is the Government taking to ensure that we will get the right person? May we have a debate in this House on that appointment?

I ask the acting leader to endorse the candidacy of John Bruton for the position of President of the European Council. What steps is he taking to ensure that the Government will support an Irish candidate as opposed to a British candidate such as Tony Blair? We should make that important distinction. Like Senators Regan and Hannigan, I support an Irishman for the post. John Bruton is an extremely capable and competent candidate who has demonstrated his abilities as Taoiseach and EU ambassador to the United States.