Tue Sep 17 06:22:32 UTC 2024: ## Ireland’s Michael McGrath Named New EU Justice Commissioner
**Dublin, Ireland** – Former Irish Finance Minister Michael McGrath has been appointed as the new European Union Commissioner for Justice, replacing Thierry Breton, who resigned earlier today. The announcement was made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who lauded McGrath’s experience and commitment to European democracy.
McGrath, who will be responsible for overseeing the EU’s work on rule of law, anti-corruption and consumer protection, expressed his honour in accepting the position, highlighting its importance in upholding democratic values and safeguarding the rights of EU citizens.
“I look forward to engaging with the European Parliament ahead of the hearings for the new Commission in the weeks ahead,” McGrath said in a statement. “This portfolio is vitally important for Europe: protecting our democratic values, rule of law, and the rights of our citizens is fundamental to the future development of the EU and of the single market.”
The appointment comes after a lengthy negotiation process, with some member states pushing for McGrath to take on a finance-related portfolio. However, von der Leyen ultimately decided to allocate the justice portfolio to McGrath, who is seen as a strong advocate for democratic values and the rule of law.
The announcement of McGrath’s appointment comes on the heels of Thierry Breton’s resignation. The French Commissioner for the Internal Market claimed that von der Leyen had asked Paris to withdraw his candidacy, citing “questionable governance.” The incident has sparked controversy and raised questions about the transparency of the process.
Despite the controversy, McGrath’s appointment is seen as a positive development for Ireland, which will now have a seat at the table on crucial issues related to justice, democracy, and consumer protection.
Before taking up his new role, McGrath will need to survive two votes of confidence and a grilling by MEPs.
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