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29/10/2009
Irish Commissioner Selection Begins
Taoiseach Brian Cowen is holding talks in Brussels focusing on who will be the next Irish commissioner representing Irish interests in the EU.
Currently, the favourites for the crucial role are European Parliament member Pat Cox and Máire Geoghegan Quinn, who is a member of the European Court of Auditors.
Mr Cox was a leading member of the European Liberal and Democrat Group (ELDR) as an MEP and the group is expected to give the appointment of Cox their support.
However, in the case for Ms Geoghegan Quinn it has emerged that European Commission president, José Manuel Barroso, wrote to Mr Cowen among a number of other prime ministers to suggest that they should consider appointing a woman, as they are underrepresented in the European parliament.
The appointment will be under discussion as part of a gathering of EU leaders in Brussels during a two-day summit, expected to also include the issues of climate change and ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer has said President Vaclav Klaus, who is the treaty's only remaining obstacle, has pledged to sign the treaty if EU leaders grant the Czech Republic an opt-out from the Charter of Human Rights.
Mr Fischer hopes to negotiate the opt-out at the Brussels meeting, which would be similar to exemptions secured by Poland and Britain.
President Klaus, who is a euro-sceptic, is the only EU leader who has not signed the treaty.
(DW/BMcC)
Currently, the favourites for the crucial role are European Parliament member Pat Cox and Máire Geoghegan Quinn, who is a member of the European Court of Auditors.
Mr Cox was a leading member of the European Liberal and Democrat Group (ELDR) as an MEP and the group is expected to give the appointment of Cox their support.
However, in the case for Ms Geoghegan Quinn it has emerged that European Commission president, José Manuel Barroso, wrote to Mr Cowen among a number of other prime ministers to suggest that they should consider appointing a woman, as they are underrepresented in the European parliament.
The appointment will be under discussion as part of a gathering of EU leaders in Brussels during a two-day summit, expected to also include the issues of climate change and ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.
Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer has said President Vaclav Klaus, who is the treaty's only remaining obstacle, has pledged to sign the treaty if EU leaders grant the Czech Republic an opt-out from the Charter of Human Rights.
Mr Fischer hopes to negotiate the opt-out at the Brussels meeting, which would be similar to exemptions secured by Poland and Britain.
President Klaus, who is a euro-sceptic, is the only EU leader who has not signed the treaty.
(DW/BMcC)
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Lisbon Treaty Guide Launched By EC
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Lisbon Treaty Guide Launched By EC
The European Commission has today launched a guide to the Lisbon Treaty to be distributed throughout the State ahead of next month's referendum. Secretary-General of the European Commission, Catherine Day, presented the document 'Your guide to the Lisbon Treaty' at a launch in Dublin today.
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Irish people should not 'misuse' the forthcoming plebiscite on the European Treaty as a way of showing their ill favour with the Government. The current EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevey has warned that voters must not use the upcoming referendum on the EU treaty as an opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the Government.
Voters Should Not Misuse EU Treaty Vote
Irish people should not 'misuse' the forthcoming plebiscite on the European Treaty as a way of showing their ill favour with the Government. The current EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevey has warned that voters must not use the upcoming referendum on the EU treaty as an opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the Government.
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Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Light winds. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
