McConalogue keeps agriculture portfolio, but EU Commissioner speculation continues
There has been growing speculation of late that Donegal Minister Charlie McConalogue could be set for a tilt as being Ireland's EU Commissioner.
While Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue has retained the Agriculture portfolio following Simon Harris's election as Taoiseach, speculation abounds regarding a possibly candidacy for Ireland's next European Commissioner.
As expected, Harris made no alterations to the Fianna Fáil Ministers when carrying out a mini Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday.
Peter Burke was appointed as Minister for Enterprise, recently vacated by Simon Coveney, while Harris's former role as Minister for Further Education was given to Patrick O’Donovan.
Donegal Deputy McConalogue stays in his role as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
There has been growing speculation of late that McConalogue could be set for a tilt as being Ireland's EU Commissioner.
McConalogue is said to be a frontrunner for the job but, when asked at this week's North-South Ministerial Council, if that was the case he said: “No, I certainly wouldn’t say that. That’d be a matter for the government and the three party leaders, obviously, there is agreement that it will be a Fianna Fáil nominee and obviously the Tánaiste will have a strong role to play in that, working with the three parties in government.”
McConalogue said he was not ruling himself out of the race and said 'many names' have been linked with the role.
He said: “I mean, it’s not something I’m considering. My only objective is to continue to do the work I’m doing, to continue to plan towards the next general election.”
Following his election as Taoiseach, Harris called for McConalogue to 'deliver on my commitment to establish new vet schools in rural Ireland' and commitment to 'building; on Fodder Transport Measures announced earlier in the week.
The financial contribution will offset transport costs of hay, fodder beet, straw and silage for feeding, where a distance of more than 75km is involved.
McConalogue said these contributions would support livestock farmers most severely affected by 'prolonged exceptional weather conditions'.