Irish officials have won two key promotions within the European Commission at director level, just below the most senior positions in the hierarchy, Patrick Smyth reports from Brussels. Mr Martin Power has been appointed director in the Directorate General for Competition and will take responsibility for overseeing individual state aid cases.
Mr Power has previously worked in Energy, Development, and the Internal Market directorates before joining Competition two years ago.
Ms Mary Minch takes responsibility for livestock product markets in Agriculture. Ms Minch served in the MacSharry cabinet before being charged with overseeing international agricultural issues for the Commission, notably relations with the World Trade Organisation.
Her appointment means that there are now two Irish women at director level in the Commission.