LAST UPDATE | 5 hrs ago

MEPS ARE QUESTIONING Irish European Commissioner-designate Michael McGrath to scrutinise his ability to tackle his new role in the EU in Brussels this morning.

Each of the EU’s 27 member states receive one position in the European Commission, which drafts, enforces and regulates European law on key issues such as trade, competition and technology.

Fianna Fáil’s McGrath, the former Minister for Finance, was nominated as the new Commissioner for Democracy Justice and the Rule of Law in September.

Members of the European Parliament’s justice, internal market and legal affairs committees are currently asking questions on data protection, the rule of law, consumer protections, democratic rights and how tough he intends to be in the role.

Each Commissioner-designate faces a three-hour quizzing by lawmakers closely linked to their portfolios.

Ireland’s chosen Commissioner has been seen as a safe pair of hands to handle the role he was nominated for but it is likely that MEPs from continental Europe will seek to see how tough he intends to be in the position.

For months, there have been growing concerns about Hungary’s backsliding when it comes to the issue of democracy and the rule of law.

In July, the European People’s Party, of which Fine Gael MEPs are members of, sought to invoke Article 7 of the Treaty of the European Union on Hungary - a move which would block Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and other Hungarian representatives from voting in Brussels.

The request has gained support in recently, particularly in light of last month’s elections in Georgia where Orbán denounced European skepticism of the results of the election on an unsanctioned visit to Tbilisi, despite multiple independent observers crying foul.

Last month, the European Commission also launched a legal challenge against Hungary over it’s Russian-like ‘foreign influence’ law, which would ban domestic media companies and NGOs receiving international investment.

Though the EU said it wants to deal with the court proceedings ‘swiftly’, McGrath may need to step in to lead the case as part of his new brief if the hearings continue.

In short, McGrath will need to appear not only as a safe pair of hands but also a tough, hardened regulator to keep member states, like Hungary, in line during his five-year term.

Veteran German MEP and co-leader of the Green group Terry Reintke signalled this yesterday, telling journalists that the Co Cork-native will need be “un-Irish” during his term.

“I don’t know if this is a stereotype that is shared across Europe, but Irish people are considered to be very polite and friendly quite often, and I think he will have to be rather tough,” Reintke said.

McGrath will also have to stand over the security of elections in the European Union during his term and is likely to be asked about his thoughts on democracy, the freedom of the press and the current threats to free and fair ballots.

In total, McGrath must secure the confidence of 100 out of the 149 MEPs on the questioning team. Seven Irish politicians are among the group. 

The decision, which will be certified at the next European Parliament sitting later this month, will be coordinated by the leaders of each parliamentary group after all of the new Commissioners are questioned.

It’s unlikely that this Parliament will choose to veto any of the proposed Commissioners, but parliamentarians can ask additional questions in writing or request a further 90-minute grilling if they are dissatisfied with McGrath’s performance.

Confirmation hearings began yesterday and will continue until 12 November.

The European Parliament is provisionally scheduled to vote on confirming the entire college of commissioners on 27 November and they would start a five-year term in early December.