Ireland’s Commissioner-Designate for the European Commission, Mairead McGuinness, is appearing before a European Parliament hearing in Brussels this morning (Friday, October 2) to determine if she is a suitable candidate to be Ireland’s new commissioner.
Following the changes in the European Commission brought about by the resignation of former trade commissioner Phil Hogan, MEPs will examine whether the chosen candidates for new roles “are qualified to carry out the particular duties assigned to them”, according to the European Parliament.
McGuinness was selected by President of the European Commission Ursula for the Financial Services, Financial Stability and the Capital Markets Union portfolio.
Meanwhile, European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis has been chosen to take over the Trade portfolio.
His hearing will be heard by the International Trade Committee from 1:00pm to 4:00pm (12:00pm to 3:00pm Irish time).
Both hearings will be followed by meetings in which the chairs and group representatives (coordinators) of the committees will evaluate the candidates’ suitability, according to the European Parliament.
She has served as First Vice-President of the European Parliament since 2017.