The newly appointed Irish EU Commissioner Michael McGrath has chosen an Irish woman working in EU institutions to lead his new team just before the European Parliament approves the new Commission.
According to RTÉ News, Fiona Knab-Lunny, who has been part of the cabinet for the outgoing EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, will take on the role of Chef de Cabinet for Mr. McGrath.
She will be one of two Irish members in his six-person team, alongside Kevin Barrett, who previously served as Mr. McGrath’s special advisor during his tenure as Minister for Finance.
It is believed that Mr. Barrett will take on the role of a policy expert in the Commissioner’s cabinet.
Mr. McGrath is reported to have received over 500 CVs from candidates vying for prestigious positions within his six-person cabinet, as well as within a secondary team of six staff members.
Several members of the Commissioner’s team are thought to have been recruited directly from the cabinets of two outgoing Commissioners—Věra Jourová, the Commissioner for Values and Transparency, and Didier Reynders, the outgoing Justice Commissioner.
Mr. McGrath is believed to have received approximately 70 applications from Irish candidates, both from within and outside the EU institutions.
Reports indicate that about six Irish officials currently in EU institutions have secured roles within the cabinets of other Commissioners.
At 52, Ms. Knab-Lunny is understood to have been with the European Commission for eight years, focusing on conflict prevention, human rights, humanitarian affairs, and engagement with civil society during the outgoing mandate.
It is noted that Mr. McGrath had discussions with Charmaine Hili, President Ursula von der Leyen’s outgoing justice expert, regarding her potential as his head of cabinet.
However, it appears that Ms. Hili will remain in the cabinet of the Commission President for a second term.
Tomorrow morning, Ms. Von der Leyen will address MEPs in Strasbourg in advance of a vote that is anticipated to approve her new team of Commissioners with a majority.
Irish MEPs from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and Labour are expected to support the new Commission, alongside Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly.
Conversely, Sinn Féin MEPs Lynn Boylan and Kathleen Funchion, as well as Independent Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, are reportedly planning to vote against it.
