Discussions on the nomination of a new Irish Commissioner to replace Mr Padraig Flynn in Brussels later this year, are expected to take place between the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, during the next few days. Mr Ahern may then be in a position to put forward a name, or names, to the EU Commission president-designate, Mr Romano Prodi, when they discuss the matter next week. It is understood the Coalition Government has already indicated a preference for certain portfolios within the new Commission and negotiations are likely to centre on those areas of responsibility and the suitability of the person or persons nominated.
Since the outgoing European Parliament overwhelmingly confirmed his nomination by 392 votes to 72 last month, Mr Prodi has emphasised his determination to introduce changes within the Commission and to fully exercise the new powers that have become available to him under the Amsterdam Treaty. In that regard, he is understood to have already rejected - as insufficiently experienced - at least one candidate suggested by an EU government. He has spoken of the need for a gender balance within his new team and is "extremely concerned" that at least five women should be members of the Commission.
Mr Prodi hopes to have completed negotiations on the membership of his Commission by July 21st, when the newly elected European Parliament meets for the first time. In the meantime, however, he has asked EU governments not to talk about possible candidates, so as to give him time to draw up a plan that would provide a balance between political groups, men and women and the different skills needed to run the EU.
The reform programme envisaged by Mr Prodi involves the consolidation of policy-making in broad areas such as foreign affairs, development, trade and enlargement. A similar approach will be taken to economic, competition and single-market policy; health and consumer protection; transport, energy and nuclear safety, and there will be closer links between agriculture, fisheries and the environment. In addition, clear lines of demarcation will be drawn between the political cabinets and the administration, and efforts will be made to break national strangleholds on particular directorates. Commissioners' cabinets will have to be composed of at least three nationalities and the tendency of commissioners to brief against one another through their spokesmen will be curbed.
The new powers that have become available to the Commission, in addition to an ambitious reform programme, make it incumbent on the Government to choose an able representative. Last month, when he met Mr Prodi in Dublin, the Taoiseach spoke of nominating a high-calibre candidate for a high profile position. Since then, the Government has indicated a preference for three specific spending portfolios - agriculture, regional affairs and social policy. The task of matching a name to one of the portfolios is scheduled to take place next week. There is no point in believing Mr Prodi can be misled about the calibre of the people on offer because his chef de cabinet is an Irishman, Mr David O'Sullivan. Given all those circumstances, the Coalition Government should ignore any by-election and party political considerations and choose the brightest and the best.