McGuinness will be an excellent Commissioner for all of Europe – Richmond

Fine Gael TD and spokesman on European Affairs, Neale Richmond, has congratulated Mairead McGuinness following the formal approval by the European Parliament of her appointment as the new European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union.

“Mairead has been an amazing MEP for the past 16 years, representing her constituents excellently and holding the key role of First Vice President of the European Parliament.

“Today’s vote by the European Parliament to approve her nomination was a huge testament to the high regard she is held in by colleagues, a voting margin of 583 in favour of her nomination and only 75 against is a huge achievement.

“The portfolio of Financial Stability Financial Services and Capital Markets Union will be a crucial one in the coming years and it is brilliant to have a Commissioner from Ireland holding such an important role. Although Mairead will of course act in all of the EU’s interests, it is always good to have a Commissioner so familiar with the challenges Ireland faces in such a role.

“Mairead’s affirmation hearing before the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee was assured and showed her deep understanding of the key challenges facing the EU in the coming years.

“The European Council will formally approve her nomination next week marking a huge achievement for Mairead.

“As a member of both the Oireachtas Finance and European Affairs Committees, I look forward to working closely with Mairead in her important new position.

“I am delighted for Mairead and her family; I know she will be an excellent Commissioner for all of Europe.”