McGrath facing MEP questions on commissioner role

Ireland's nominee for the next European Commission will undergo a three hour hearing at the European Parliament in Brussels, as part of the approval process before he is confirmed as the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law.

Michael McGrath will be questioned by MEPs from three separate committees on his grasp of the portfolio and his suitability for the post.

The Government and Mr McGrath had hoped that he would get an economic portfolio when he was nominated last spring.

Instead he was given the justice portfolio and while it is not seen as a natural fit for the former finance minister, it will be an important and politically challenging role.

Mr McGrath has spent weeks preparing for this morning's hearing.

His workload as commissioner will include holding Hungary to account for alleged persistent breaches of the rule of law, developing a European democracy shield against foreign interference in European elections, and he working with the budget commissioner to link EU cohesion and Covid recovery funds to compliance with the rule of law.

In a written response ahead of the oral hearing, Mr McGrath said he had come from a country with an unbroken democratic tradition of over 100 years and as such he was acutely conscious of the importance of free and fair elections, the application of the rule of law, and an independent pluralist media.

He may get some pointed questions about his portfolio given that Ireland opts out of significant parts of the EU's rulebook on justice and home affairs.

MEPs cannot vote to reject individual commissioners, only the entire commission.

However, they can pile political pressure on a candidate if he or she falls short of expectations.

It seems unlikely that will be the case here, but the three hour hearings are gruelling, and can be unpredictable.