Adams questions suitability of Hogan for European role

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has questioned the suitability of Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan for the role of European Commissioner.

Mr Hogan’s appointment is expected to be announced this week when details of the Cabinet reshuffle are released.

Mr Adams told the Dáil today that Mr Hogan had appointed seven former Fine Gael and Labour councillors to State boards and he was "mired in controversy'' when it came to the planning process.

He had appointed an individual as deputy chairman of An Bord Pleanála who was a former technical director of a private engineering company which framed a series of controversial projects that had come before the board.

He added that there was scrutiny at EU level of the people nominated as commissioners.

“Should there be the same scrutiny here in the Dáil ?’’ he asked.

Mr Adams said Taoiseach Enda Kenny should facilitate a process whereby the nominee for the position would answer questions in the Dáil or before an Oireachtas committee.

Mr Kenny said those deemed appropriate for State boards went before the relevant Oireachtas committee.

He added that any nominee for a commissioner post had to attend before the European parliament for three or four hours to determine their suitability.

Sinn Féin had a number of representatives in the parliament and they could ask questions of whoever was nominated, he said.