Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
LESS THAN AN hour after Michael McGrath had been announced as nominee for Ireland’s next EU Commissioner, the exiting finance minister was in the Dáil canteen with his wife Sarah.
No sooner had they set their lunch trays down in the corner, McGrath was beset with well-wishers from all political parties.
“Well done”, “delighted for you”, “congratulations” they said as they shook his hand.
It was a big day for the Cork man and father of seven, who was first elected to Passage West Town Council in 1999 aged just 22, before moving onto Cork County Council, the Dáil and then Cabinet.
Now he is onto an even bigger stage.
In the courtyard of Government Buildings earlier this morning, McGrath said he is “immensely excited” to have the opportunity to help shape policy across the European Union.
He regaled to reporters how 25 years ago this month he ran for election for the very first time, though he added he was a “much more fresh faced 22 year old” back then.
Tanaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin described McGrath as a “very able, intelligent, highly effective politician”.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Simon Harris said he is “a dedicated public servant, a skilled minister and an extremely diligent and hard worker”.
“For me, this isn’t about tribal politics or party politics or partisan politics, just by putting our best foot forward and about sending the best person that we can to the European Commission,” said Harris.
So what is the thinking behind McGrath going to Brussels?
A “high-calibre” candidate was always going to be needed for such a prestigious position in Europe, with government sources stating that there were really only two options open to them: McGrath or Martin.
The Tánaiste is understood to have toyed with the idea, but it soon became clear over the last year that he wanted to stay put and lead his party into the next general election.
McGrath was therefore the chosen one for some time now, with many The Journal spoke to stating that they were not surprised by the appointment.
While those within his own party will of course sing his praises, it is interesting to note that those in Fine Gael also have complimentary things to say about the Cork man.
‘Decent and non partisan’
“McGrath is well liked across all parties. He is very decent and not partisan,” said one senior Fine Gael minister.
“Fine Gaelers like McGrath,” said one Fine Gael TD, stating that he is “very capable”.
Another said there is “no negativity” towards McGrath from the Fine Gael benches, adding that if anything, he was seen by Fine Gael TDs to be “more open with the purse strings” than their very own Paschal Donohoe.
They said it would often be said in jest that “it was easier to get €100 million out of McGrath than €1 million out of Paschal”.
Advertisement
Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
While most in Fine Gael said the decision was the right choice, there were some concerns about the job McGrath might end up getting in Brussels.
One said it is likely McGrath would get a “mid-tier job” such as internal markets and competition, while if the Tánaiste had decided to take on the Commissioner role, a job higher up the ladder might have been available for a former Taoiseach.
This Fine Gaeler also raised concerns about Fianna Fáil MEPs not backing Ursula von der Leyen for the European Commissioner job and questioned whether it might have an impact when the Commissioner roles are being doled out.
All four Fianna Fáil MEPs — Barry Andrews, Barry Cowen, Billy Kelleher and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú – pledged to voters in the run up to the European election that they would not vote for von der Leyen to have another term.
Martin said this week that he would engage with his MEPs ahead of the vote, though as it is a secret ballot, the party whip would prove ineffective.
Overall, those that spoke to this publication said that McGrath would do a good job in Europe.
Those in Fianna Fáil obviously see it as a successful day for the party, though some now question the direction for the future.
Jack Chambers tipped for the top
McGrath would have been an obvious successor for leadership — but now there’s speculation that Jack Chambers, the new finance minister, is tipped for the top.
Those within his own party told The Journal that Chambers is well-liked by party colleagues, but is also described as a hard worker and “well able” for the task ahead of him.
The Tánaiste likes and trusts Chambers, according to those within his own party, who state that Martin sees him as a possible successor.
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Jack Chambers. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
There is no doubt that the Dublin West TD has made quite the leap — from junior ministry right into one of the most senior positions at the Cabinet table.
Less than a week after he was appointed as the new deputy leader of Fianna Fail, Chambers now finds himself with a number of challenges on his desk.
He’ll have to contend with the Summer Economic Statement shortly, before entering into the budget negotiations, where be will have to put a shape on the tax package.
He will also find himself dealing with budget kites flown by his coalition partners in Fine Gael, such as inheritance tax and the 9% VAT.
What do Fine Gaelers make of the appointment?
“Delighted for him,” said one, who predicted that he might become Ireland’s second gay Taoiseach one day.
However, others within Fine Gael expressed their surprise at the appointment, stating that there are concerns about the lack of experience as he has never led a department before.
The general feeling in Fine Gael is that Junior Minister Dara Calleary would have made a good finance minister, and questioned the “strange carry on” of appointing Chambers the deputy leadership just a week ago.
One TD said putting someone from a junior position in the finance ministry might be a good way for the Tánaiste to run the show during budget negotiations.
Another deputy agreed, but added:
“One thing is clear from all this, Micheál Martin plans to be around for a good while yet.”
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
27 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Loneliness, heartbreak and exhaustion: Parents begin sleepout to demand special education places
Jane Matthews
2 hrs ago
3.3k
41
Oval Office
Zelenskyy leaves White House summit after Trump claims he's 'not ready for peace'
Updated
29 mins ago
33.6k
173
New Mexico
Police 'keeping everything on the table' in deaths of Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa
Updated
20 hrs ago
104k
78
Your Cookies. Your Choice.
Cookies help provide our news service while also enabling the advertising needed to fund this work.
We categorise cookies as Necessary, Performance (used to analyse the site performance) and Targeting (used to target advertising which helps us keep this service free).
We and our 153 partners store and access personal data, like browsing data or unique identifiers, on your device. Selecting Accept All enables tracking technologies to support the purposes shown under we and our partners process data to provide. If trackers are disabled, some content and ads you see may not be as relevant to you. You can resurface this menu to change your choices or withdraw consent at any time by clicking the Cookie Preferences link on the bottom of the webpage .Your choices will have effect within our Website. For more details, refer to our Privacy Policy.
We and our vendors process data for the following purposes:
Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development.
Cookies Preference Centre
We process your data to deliver content or advertisements and measure the delivery of such content or advertisements to extract insights about our website. We share this information with our partners on the basis of consent. You may exercise your right to consent, based on a specific purpose below or at a partner level in the link under each purpose. Some vendors may process your data based on their legitimate interests, which does not require your consent. You cannot object to tracking technologies placed to ensure security, prevent fraud, fix errors, or deliver and present advertising and content, and precise geolocation data and active scanning of device characteristics for identification may be used to support this purpose. This exception does not apply to targeted advertising. These choices will be signaled to our vendors participating in the Transparency and Consent Framework.
Manage Consent Preferences
Necessary Cookies
Always Active
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then these services may not function properly.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not be able to monitor our performance.
Store and/or access information on a device 105 partners can use this purpose
Cookies, device or similar online identifiers (e.g. login-based identifiers, randomly assigned identifiers, network based identifiers) together with other information (e.g. browser type and information, language, screen size, supported technologies etc.) can be stored or read on your device to recognise it each time it connects to an app or to a website, for one or several of the purposes presented here.
Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development 137 partners can use this purpose
Use limited data to select advertising 106 partners can use this purpose
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times an ad is presented to you).
Create profiles for personalised advertising 79 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service (such as forms you submit, content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (for example, information from your previous activity on this service and other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (that might include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present advertising that appears more relevant based on your possible interests by this and other entities.
Use profiles to select personalised advertising 78 partners can use this purpose
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on your advertising profiles, which can reflect your activity on this service or other websites or apps (like the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects.
Create profiles to personalise content 38 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service (for instance, forms you submit, non-advertising content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (such as your previous activity on this service or other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (which might for example include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present content that appears more relevant based on your possible interests, such as by adapting the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find content that matches your interests.
Use profiles to select personalised content 34 partners can use this purpose
Content presented to you on this service can be based on your content personalisation profiles, which can reflect your activity on this or other services (for instance, the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects. This can for example be used to adapt the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find (non-advertising) content that matches your interests.
Measure advertising performance 127 partners can use this purpose
Information regarding which advertising is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine how well an advert has worked for you or other users and whether the goals of the advertising were reached. For instance, whether you saw an ad, whether you clicked on it, whether it led you to buy a product or visit a website, etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of advertising campaigns.
Measure content performance 60 partners can use this purpose
Information regarding which content is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine whether the (non-advertising) content e.g. reached its intended audience and matched your interests. For instance, whether you read an article, watch a video, listen to a podcast or look at a product description, how long you spent on this service and the web pages you visit etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of (non-advertising) content that is shown to you.
Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources 75 partners can use this purpose
Reports can be generated based on the combination of data sets (like user profiles, statistics, market research, analytics data) regarding your interactions and those of other users with advertising or (non-advertising) content to identify common characteristics (for instance, to determine which target audiences are more receptive to an ad campaign or to certain contents).
Develop and improve services 82 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service, such as your interaction with ads or content, can be very helpful to improve products and services and to build new products and services based on user interactions, the type of audience, etc. This specific purpose does not include the development or improvement of user profiles and identifiers.
Use limited data to select content 39 partners can use this purpose
Content presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type, or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times a video or an article is presented to you).
Use precise geolocation data 43 partners can use this special feature
With your acceptance, your precise location (within a radius of less than 500 metres) may be used in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Actively scan device characteristics for identification 25 partners can use this special feature
With your acceptance, certain characteristics specific to your device might be requested and used to distinguish it from other devices (such as the installed fonts or plugins, the resolution of your screen) in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Ensure security, prevent and detect fraud, and fix errors 87 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
Your data can be used to monitor for and prevent unusual and possibly fraudulent activity (for example, regarding advertising, ad clicks by bots), and ensure systems and processes work properly and securely. It can also be used to correct any problems you, the publisher or the advertiser may encounter in the delivery of content and ads and in your interaction with them.
Deliver and present advertising and content 97 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
Certain information (like an IP address or device capabilities) is used to ensure the technical compatibility of the content or advertising, and to facilitate the transmission of the content or ad to your device.
Match and combine data from other data sources 69 partners can use this feature
Always Active
Information about your activity on this service may be matched and combined with other information relating to you and originating from various sources (for instance your activity on a separate online service, your use of a loyalty card in-store, or your answers to a survey), in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Link different devices 51 partners can use this feature
Always Active
In support of the purposes explained in this notice, your device might be considered as likely linked to other devices that belong to you or your household (for instance because you are logged in to the same service on both your phone and your computer, or because you may use the same Internet connection on both devices).
Identify devices based on information transmitted automatically 85 partners can use this feature
Always Active
Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it automatically sends when accessing the Internet (for instance, the IP address of your Internet connection or the type of browser you are using) in support of the purposes exposed in this notice.
Save and communicate privacy choices 65 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
The choices you make regarding the purposes and entities listed in this notice are saved and made available to those entities in the form of digital signals (such as a string of characters). This is necessary in order to enable both this service and those entities to respect such choices.
have your say