Any failure to put forward both a man and a woman to replace Phil Hogan would be “very disrespectful” to the European Commission president, according to The National Women’s Council of Ireland.
The leaders of the three Government parties are meeting again this evening to discuss nominations for the role of Ireland’s EU commissioner.
Reports this evening suggest the Government will nominate a man and a woman, as requested by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen; however, there were suggestions earlier this week that just one name would be put forward.
On The Hard Shoulder with Kieran Cuddihy this evening, the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) Director Orla O’Connor said President von der Leyen had made her wishes “crystal clear.”
“She has also made it clear from the time she became president that she wants to achieve a gender balance across the EU Commission from all member states,” she said.
“I think what we have seen in the last few days about would they nominate a man and a woman or just nominate a man is very disrespectful to the president of the European Commission and I don’t think Ireland is in a good position to be doing that right now.”
File photo of Simon Coveney and Frances Fitzgerald, 09-05-2019. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNewsThe Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has been widely tipped for the nomination – with Fine Gael MEPs Frances Fitzgerald and Mairead McGuinness also in the frame.
Ms O’Connor said Irish ministers have repeatedly claimed to be committed to equality and warned that “it is times like this they are put to the test and they should not be found wanting.”
“I think their reluctance is an age-old way of thinking and presuming that a man is better placed to be in a position,” she said.
“That is the problem we are faced with and we are continually faced with. There is lip service to women’s equality but when it comes down to the decision, there is always a list of reasons why the man should get it.
“This is a good example of that and I think there are women there who are clearly as well qualified and can absolutely do the job as well as Simon Coveney.”
She said the decision will show whether the Government is committed to gender balance both in Ireland and in Europe.
“All the evidence shows that much better decisions get made when you have that diversity at senior level,” she said.
“So much of the work that is being done in Ireland in terms of how we look at boards in Ireland and needing to make them more diverse and needing to get that gender balance – that is being done because we know it leads to better decisions.”
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