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Reluctant McCreevey OKs Euro nomination

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

McCreevy, though reported to be opposed to accepting the position, has said he will take up the nomination.
Ahern said McCreevy has wide respect in the European institutions, because of his recent chairmanship of Ireland’s presidency of the European Union.
The taoiseach thanked outgoing commissioner David Byrne, noting his “distinguished achievement” during his office.
McCreevy, who’s 54 and a long-serving TD for his native Kildare, was offered the job a week ago Tuesday, and accepted last night.
He said he had consulted with his wife and family and close friends but had not asked party colleagues for their advice. He stressed that he had not been put under pressure to accept the job, though reports in the Irish media have suggested McCreevy was not enthusiastic about accepting the position because it will take him somewhat out of the Irish political scene, and out of the running for leader of Fianna Fail, in the event of a leadership contest.
In June while visiting Cork, McCreevy told reporters he hoped to stay in his Finance job.
His first ministerial position came in February 1992 when he was named minister for social welfare in February 1992 by then Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, but stayed there for just under a year before serving as minister for tourism and trade for the following two years.
Appointed Fianna F

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