asked the Taoiseach when he intends to make a formal announcement of the name of the EEC Commissioner to represent Ireland for the period from 1 January 1981 to 31 December 1984; and whom he is appointing to this position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Commissioner.
1.
An announcement on this matter will be made in due course.
Arising out of the Taoiseach's reply which I managed to catch, as there is a possibility of three to four weeks before the summer recess——
Christmas.
——the Christmas recess, as it is highly probable that the appointment of our EEC Commissioner will require a Cabinet reshuffle——
A question, Deputy, please.
——does the Taoiseach intend to make such a Cabinet reshuffle before the Christmas recess?
I have nothing to add to my reply already given to the Deputy.
Thank you. Is the Taoiseach in a position to comment on newspaper speculation that the present Minister for Finance may be appointed to the post of EEC Commissioner? Will the Taoiseach then be in a position to let the House know whether or not there will be a Cabinet reshuffle, or if we will have a situation where the Minister for Finance——
The Deputy is displaying an inordinate interest in these matters.
Might we have a situation where the Minister for Finance may be appointed, bringing about a vacancy for that position, at a time when the very important final preparations for the budget are being made, while the country does not know, and neither does anybody else, what the position is?
That is a statement, Deputy. Ceist 2.
This is very important. There should be some comment and some proper——
(Interruptions.)