Mary Harney
Question:4 Miss Harney asked the Taoiseach if he will have discussions with Mr. Peter Sutherland in relation to the Presidency of the European Commission.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Commission Presidency.
As I indicated in the House on 27 April last I have had a recent meeting with Mr. Sutherland and he has no interest in seeking the post of President of the European Commission. As I also indicated in this House on that occasion I will be reserving my position on the filling of the post of President of the European Commission until such time as all the candidates for the job are known. When the time comes to make a decision, I will obviously be concerned to ensure the appointment of a candidate who will act in the best interests of both this country and of the European Union generally.
The Taoiseach referred to his meeting with the Director General of GATT after the signing of the agreement of 27 April. Did the Taoiseach discuss with Mr. Sutherland his possible candidacy for the Presidency of the Commission?
I do not discuss every aspect of conversations I have. I compliment Mr. Sutherland on the excellent job he has done for GATT. When he was interested in applying for that job the Government not alone supported his application but worked strongly and lobbied to ensure he got the job. He has made it clear to me that he will remain in the job until 31 December and for family reasons he will then come back to Ireland for a number of years.
If it becomes evident that the position of President of the Commission would be offered to Ireland in the event of Mr. Sutherland being available for it, will the Taoiseach give an assurance that party political considerations will not stand in the way of Ireland getting this prestigious post and that he will ask Commissioner Flynn to step aside to allow that position to be taken up?
And go back to national school teaching.
I do not deal with hypothetical questions.
What would the Taoiseach do in that event?
Will the Taoiseach confirm that Mr. Sutherland told him he has no interest in this job?
Mr. Sutherland told me he is staying in his present job until 31 December and will then return to Ireland. He said he has no interest in going abroad again for family reasons.
Did Peter Sutherland tell the Taoiseach he is not interested in this job? There is substantial support for him among the Danes, French, Spanish and Portuguese. I respect the Taoiseach for not wishing to move aside a friend. However, if there is support for Mr. Sutherland at the Heads of Government meeting would he be prepared to review his position?
I do not deal with hypothetical questions. I have made it clear that when the field is known we will make our decision on the candidate whom we believe will work in the best interests of this country and of Europe. It is easy to come into the House and float support here and there. We all read stories in the papers as to where support lies for candidates. To my knowledge the Belgian candidate has not even made it public that he is a candidate, but we are told that various countries are supporting him. We are at an early stage and I will certainly not disclose my hand in advance.
Will the Taoiseach not accept that this is an historic opportunity for Ireland to secure the Presidency of the European Commission for the first time ever; that this may not arise again in the foreseeable future; that we have in Peter Sutherland a candidate who is recognised and accepted internationally, who already has a track record as a Commissioner and as Director General of the GATT and whose term of office will expire at the end of this year and that there is a coincidence in timing that would permit him to take over if he were encouraged so to do? I strongly stress to the Taoiseach that he should not be party political or parochial about this but should take it on himself to make contact with Mr. Sutherland, urge him to stand and then promote his cause.
Deputy O'Keeffe has said that we have a candidate. I do not know whether he is talking about Mr. Sutherland. I am not aware that we have a candidate. I know what Mr. Sutherland said to me. Deputy O'Keeffe seems to have a different version. If he has, he should clarify it. I have nothing further to add.