McCreevy nominated as Ireland's EU Commissioner

The Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, this evening said he has agreed to become Ireland's next EU Commissioner.

Mr McCreevy said he was offered the post a week ago and decided to accept the nomination today.

He denied that he had been put under any pressure to accept the post and added that he had fully expected to retain the finance portfolio following the planned autumn Cabinet reshuffle. McCreevy's decision marks a change of heart.

Just weeks ago he had insisted that he had no interest in the post. "I am pleased to announce that I have accepted the Taoiseach's nomination to be Ireland's next EU Commissioner. I intend to work for Ireland in the European Commission as diligently as I have done for the past 27 years at national level."

Mr Ahern said that Mr McCreevy had been an outstanding Minister for Finance. "I am delighted that he has accepted this nomination since he is uniquely qualified to make a major contribution to the work of the Commission and to the development of the European Union in the challenging period ahead."

Following his successful involvement in Ecofin and the Euro Group, Mr Ahern said the outgoing Minister for Finance commands respect around Europe. The Taoiseach said he fully expected Mr McCreevy to receive a significant portfolio.

Mr McCreevy's departure opens the way for a significant Cabinet reshuffle in the Autumn with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Cowen now the front runner to be appointed to the Department of Finance top job. Mr McCreevy has represented Kildare north for 27 years and sat on Kildare County Council between 1979 and 1985

The 54-year-old UCD commerce graduate is a chartered accountant by profession.

He was appointed Minister for Social Welfare in February 1992 by the then Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, but stayed there for just under a year before being moved to the Department of Tourism and Trade for two years.

Mr McCreevy was then confirmed as Fianna Fáil frontbench spokesperson on Finance in January 1995 and took the ministerial position when the current coalition was elected in June 1997.

The Taoiseach also congratulated and thanked the outgoing Irish Commissioner, Mr David Byrne, for his work during his term of office.

A Government spokesman confirmed tonight that Mr McCreevy will continue as Minister for Finance until the Cabinet reshuffle in the Autumn.