Of all 15 EU states, it appears Ireland is having most difficulty in selecting a new commissioner, but we should have the name of the chosen one very shortly now. It is not known what exactly transpired when the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern and Tanaiste, Mary Harney met the incoming Commission President Romano Prodi in Dublin recently, but the composition of the new Commission was high on the agenda.
Brussels sources say that Prodi told our leaders he wants us and other small nations to appoint a strong political commissioner on the grounds that with only 15 MEPs among nearly 700 and only one seat on the councils it is necessary that the individual be able to hold his or her ground among the larger countries. This is where the difficulty arises. The strongest political candidates hold Dail seats and a by-election could spell disaster.
The Taoiseach will have some indication this weekend whether a by-election is winnable - anywhere. So it's wise to wait - but, say the Eurocrats, not too long. To argue that we must identify a portfolio before naming a nominee is folly, as other countries are already off the starting block and we could be left behind in the divvi out.
The Eurocrats, whose future will be affected by the shape of the new commission, are following developments closely, and one DG10 fonctionaire has compiled a list of who might get the jobs. This unofficial document, which is circulating around the community, indicates that the Republic is most difficult to forecast, but goes on to name Gerry Collins and Maire Geoghegan Quinn. Eurocrats who spoke to Quidnunc all favour Alan Dukes, but believe that Bertie Ahern couldn't stomach crossing party lines.
Other names on the list are, Britain: Neil Kinnock and Chris Patten; France: Michael Barnier and Pascal Lame; Germany: Gunter Verhengen and Michaele Schreyer; Spain: Carlos Westendorp, Pedro Solbes or Loyola de Palacio; Austria: Franz Fischler; Sweden: Carl Bildt; Denmark: Ritt Bjerregaard; Greece: Vasso Papandreou or Giorgos Papandreou; Belgium: Philippe Maystadt; Netherlands: Fits Balkenstein; Portugal: Antonio Vitorino; Finland: Erkki Liikanen; Luxembourg: Ben Fayot; Italy: Mario Monti. Of course one of the very top jobs is already decided. David O'Sullivan will be Prodi's chef de cabinet - and he's Irish.
