European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced that Mairead McGuinness is to be Ireland’s new European Commissioner.
The North-West MEP will take over the Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union portfolio.
Former Latvian prime minister Valdis Dombrovskis has been given the Trade portfolio, left vacant following the resignation of Phil Hogan.
Mr Hogan stepped down following controversy over his movements while in Ireland and his attendance at an Oireachtas Golf Society event in Clifden on 19 August.
Mr Dombrovskis has been overseeing trade since Mr Hogan left.
He will now formally take over at a time the bloc is locked in difficult Brexit negotiations with Britain, faces trade tensions with China and the United States, as well as seeking to unite around a new leader for the World Trade Organization.
Ms von der Leyen had invited the Irish Government to present suitable candidates for a replacement commissioner, requesting the nomination of “a woman and a man”.
The Government put forward Ms McGuinness and Andrew McDowell for the role.
Tags: