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THE IRISH GOVERNMENT is standing firm in its nomination of Michael McGrath for its European Commissioner role, with the Taoiseach saying today it would be “unfair” on McGrath to put forward a second name.
Yesterday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen formally wrote to member states’ governments asking them to propose two names – a man and a woman.
Speaking to reporters today at the Olympic Games in Paris, Taoiseach Simon Harris said he believes there is “at the very least an understanding” of Ireland’s position at European level.
The Irish Government formally nominated then-Finance Minister Michael McGrath for the job last month.
The Taoiseach said today: “We’ve had to make an assessment as to who we believe is the best commissioners to send from Ireland. That person, Michael McGrath, has had to step down from cabinet. That’s a pretty profound thing for him to have to do.
“And I think it would be an unfair thing for him to have to do, and then tell him he has a 50:50 chance of getting a role at the end of it.”
In 2019, von der Leyen asked the same of member states in a bid to achieve gender balance in her College of Commissioners.
The Taoiseach’s comments today are in step with those of Tánaiste Micheál Martin who said yesterday that he believes the request infringes on the member states’ rights under the EU treaties to propose candidates for the positions.
Harris said today he will respond to von der Leyen’s letter “in due course”.
“Ireland has played its part in terms of gender equality and the important issues around that and will continue to. On this occasion though we have a particular set of circumstances that are important,” the Taoiseach said.
Firstly he said because of the current coalition government it was Fianna Fáil’s decision to choose a nominee for the job, given that the last Commissioner, Mairead McGuinness was a Fine Gael nominee.
“The second thing to remember is that Michael McGrath was one of the most senior politicians in Ireland, he was the Minister for Finance. It was important that he would have his full concentration on preparing for the European Commission role and that [we] would have a Minister of Finance who is preparing fully for the Budget,” the Taoiseach said.
He added that it would be “odd” to nominate more than one nominee given that particular set of circumstances.
Three other members states – Slovenia, Sweden and Finlands – have also just proposed one nominee to date.
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And how much of its loans to Greece will the IMF write off ?
None! Christine Lagarde has already publicly stated that the IMF will not under any circumstances write down any Greek debt.
The IMF’s money comes from other countries the ECB funds come from nowhere but the ECB – this is why the ECB can write down the debt and the IMF well can’t.. as every other country with an IMF loan would opt out of paying.
I thought the IMF printer its own money, is this not the case?
John,
The IMF is not a currency issuer but the ECB is. The ECB faces no financial constraint in the Euro which it creates at will, via computer keystrokes primarily. The money used to “bail out” Greece most of which was in fact funneled to the eurozone financial sector has already been created and circulated in the Eurozone and global economy without any significant inflation. The debt write-off is simply a matter of not retiring that money. It’s a trivial accounting exercise for the ECB and the reason that it’s not done has nothing to do with economics and everything to do with politics and ideology.
You know you’re in trouble when your only “friend” in the room is the rapacious IMF.
So it’s back over to you Mr. Schauble… And you, Noonan, take that smirk off your face.
FG said yesterday on Rte Radio that the Irish Government opposes a debt write for Greece. So the Germans must be laughing at us now-not only did we bail out their banks at the expense of our citizens Ireland is now advocating against a debt write down for Greece where again German Banks (DB et al) got bailed out even we have nothing to gain from taking this position and the dogs in the street all now 200% debt-to-gdp is unsustainable. Now where’s that video of Varadkar spitting fire about not bailing out banks before last election…..
IMF Debt Sustainability Report for Greece is clear-debt levels are unsustainable (200% debt to gdp). The IMF will not take part in a programme for Greece unless debt haircut is applied. A feature of all IMF Programmes to date (exception; Ireland). The reason countries go into IMF programmes is beacause their debt is unsustainable. IMF Programmes require (1) debt hair cut (2) re-scheduling/interest agreement on remaining debt (3) reforms/efficiency programmes. All 3 elements are required to return a country to sustainable debt levels.
SHE KEEP IT IN HER HEAD INSTEAD, EM LOL.
Oh oh, if Greece gets debt right down that’s bad for GG /Lab. Those clowns didn’t even apply for one. Idiots.
These clowns are saying everything is great and improving. Why would they give us a debt write off.
For precisely that reason. Greece won’t get a write down until they play ball and make changes.
Greece has already got a write down during the 2nd bailout and as the IMF has pointed out their debt is unsustainable so they will need a write down or we will be talking about a Greek exit from the € in 6 months time again.
Really annoying!!!! We got proper f€€&€&& in the a@@!
By FG /Lab
FG and labour didn’t invite the troika to town nor were In Government when the economy collapses.
True but they followed the plan agreed by FF & the troika. Remember Kenny’s claim “it’s not our debt” lying snake.
Kenny ‘ s performance at the banking inquiry plus the fact that FG wanted to pour a further 20 billion into the economy ala the FG 2007 manifesto proves these clowns would have done the same as FF.Crazily things could have been worse if Kenny was at the helm. Mad stuff Ted.
And many people forget. IMF wanted us to burn junior bondholders, it’s weird to say this but compared to the ECB the IMF are sensible. Cruel with imposing austerity but at least with a view to leaving it at some point. ECB seems happy with an infinite amount of it.
What about Irish debt relief and most importantly debt forgiveness for us please Ms ligarde. We have had ENOUGH. This relief etc needs to be brought down to the ordinary irish borrower
FG /Lab didn’t request a right down, the idiots.
Well, they did.
When Diarmuid? Funny how Kenny was asked THREE times about that during the soft O’ Callaghan interview and he waffled and dodged the question each time.
Another country forced to sell the peoples assists to wealthy business men and women, NWO.
Diarmuid you might have a look at Martin Bryne’s link further down.Only a suggestion.
FG were on rte yesterday saying they oppose debt write downs. Clear enough? So no point in even talking about this.
They’ve been begging for years! You can’t force your bank manager to cut your debts!
Although the restructuring of Irish debt over a longer time does have the technical effect of a write down.
There’s no arguing with people who eyes, ears and minds are closed.
You’re just ignoring the restructuring which was obtained. And the economic reality of same.
Think it wasn’t enough? Fair enough, me too.
Stop being disingenuous about the facts though.
The “restructuring” of the debt by converting the promissory note illegally to sovereign debt?
How could we forget their tireless efforts on our behalf?
Kenny has told Bloomberg television that Ireland will not seek any write-down on its debt and will not impose losses on bondholders.
Kenny and Co made this type of individual lot’s and lot’s of money. They are still laughing at us.
Better than other things on youtube like Orpah or Biebers demonic eyes… YIKES…
Lagarde is a snake.
Her smug grin is nearly enough to turn me into a communist.
Heard simon harris on tv yesterday saying the debt needs to be restructured as opposed to debt forgiveness/writedown and he said there are many ways to restructure debt. Another useless one dimensional thinking td who wants the unjustified financial hardship for irish people to continue and who will rob private pension funds, but i’ll happily take my increase in political pension and expenses please. And are home repossessions the irish govs best way of restructuring the irish debt?!
Simon Harris Information Testament.
Christine Lagarde is nothing more than a high-ranking minion for the Rothschild mafia. She doesn’t even pay tax on her earnings. A typical case of “do as I say, not as I do”
If it was solely the IMF that had dealth with Greece they would have been on the road to recovery by now, granted they would have been out of the Euro zone. The IMF don’t have constituents that they have to consider over Greece unlike the European “partners”. The entire fiasco is being kicked down the road for another 3 years. Lunacy.
It won’t take 3 years for Greece to blow up again. The IMF knows this new Bailout won’t work even the clowns in the Euro group know it won’t work.Its called ‘extend and pretend’.
In the meanwhile the EUSSR has decided that Fairy Liquid must be labelled as a corrosive. The Commission does not allow minor things like the collapse of Greece and massive youth unemployment get in the way of it’s agenda.
if I did ran a loan sharking businesslike this woman and her cronies I’d be locked up!
The IMF are nothing more than mere locusts!!!
They are Vampires………
Great song about the IMF by Thievery Corporation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jquscqfs-XE
Great tune that gets the message across Bobby, this is nothing more than the passing of greed and it will have it’s day
Goodness me http://www.iwh-halle.de/d/publik/iwhonline/io_2015-07.pdf. €100 billion profit? No wonder the Germans love the EUSSR
the dogs on the street know it,for gods sake.
I don’t have enough money to be as expert as some folks here on high finance and economies but here’s a question that someone might answer for me. Last December I was going to buy an item on eBay for €40 which is now €47 yet the sterling price has remained the same. How is being in the euro of benefit to me and who gets my €7 should I part with me few bob ? Sorry that’s 2 questions but go on…..
Have the IMF called in Ethan Hunt yet?
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/27/us-imf-lagarde-idUSKBN0GR0SP20140827
the imf is part of the same economic hitman system the ecb is. the real target here is 50 billion of state assets that greece was forced to put up as capital. they know damn well that greece can never repay this debt.
See what November brings first?
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