Government welcomes allocation of European Commission portfolios
The Government today welcomed the announcement by the President-designate of the European Commission, Mr. José Manuel Durao Barroso, of the allocation of portfolios in the new European Commission which will take office on 1 November.
The Taoiseach Mr. Bertie Ahern, speaking after todays announcement, warmly welcomed the allocation of the Internal Market portfolio to Ireland's incoming Commissioner, Mr. Charlie McCreevy:
I am delighted that my colleague, the Minister for Finance,Charlie McCreevy, has been allocated a portfolio of such significance. The European Union is committed over the coming years to deepening the Internal Market, especially in the area of services. This is a challenging and exciting post that will be of great importance in terms of taking forward the objectives of the new Commission at a historic point in the Unions development.
The importance of creating a real Internal Market, across all sectors, in both goods and services, is vital to both business and job creation in Europe. It is even more important now following the enlargement of the Union to twenty-five Member States that we create a level playing field which will allow businesses to trade freely throughout the Union. The new Commissioner for the Internal Market will make a significant contribution in this area.
Charlie brings an extensive range of Ministerial experience and personal ability to this job. For the past seven years as Finance Minister, he has overseen and managed unprecedented growth in Ireland. He has a real understanding of the European economy and has both the political experience and the technical expertise to make a success of the Internal Market.
I am confident that, in his role as Commissioner with responsibility for the Internal Market, Charlie will be able to draw on this experience to bring about a more dynamic European economy and deliver tangible benefits to all of the citizens of the European Union.
I congratulate him and I wish him the very best of luck.
ENDS
12 August 2004