Von der Leyen set for second term as EU leaders agree top jobs

Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni abstained on Ursula Von der Leyen, while Hungarian PM Victor Orban voted against. The deal required a qualified majority vote, securing von de Leyen as candidate for a second term. But she is not clear yet as she will need the support of 361 of 720 MEPs in the European Parliament. A vote is due to take place in a few weeks.

Meanwhile, it is understood she will request each member state nominating a commissioner to send her names of a female and a male nominee as she is once again prioritising gender balance in her commission.

However, Taoiseach Simon Harris has confirmed the Government will send only the name of Michael McGrath.

“I’m aware that Ursula von der Leyen may seek the name of a man and a woman but on this occasion, and respectfully and in accordance with the treaties, we have taken a decision to send one name. And we do that because we’re sending our finance minister,” he told journalists.

So far a handful of member states have nominated their candidates and almost all are men. Almost every country is seeking a senior economics portfolio — as is Ireland.

However, Mr Harris argues that the refusal to nominate a woman should not impact on Ireland’s ability to secure a senior post.

We’ve asked somebody to step down from their cabinet role, to step down from the next budget. And before you ask someone to do that you have to give them clarity that they’re going to be the nominee, so our position is settled.

He also said Ireland, alongside the rest of Europe, would “do whatever it takes” to help Ukraine win in the war of aggression waged on it by Russia.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Brussels to sign security guarantees with Brussels, with the EU pledging to continue with consistent and predictable military support as well as financial and humanitarian contributions.

In relation to the Defence Forces, the Taoiseach said he would not be silenced on speaking out about the lack of progress on gender-based violence among members, or the general culture within the forces.

A report on convictions among personnel shows 68 have criminal convictions or are before the courts facing criminal charges.

“I’m the Taoiseach of this country and zero tolerance is not a political slogan,” he told reporters.

Zero tolerance is the cultural change that must become embedded in every part of Irish society including the Defence Forces. I will speak up and speak out for the women of this country who have felt failed, badly failed over a significant period of time.

“There is no place in my view for people who have convictions in our Defence Forces, particularly who have convictions in relation to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

“I’m not going to stop as Taoiseach of this country until we get the right answers in relation to this and we’re going to get it right for the incredible men and women in the Defence Forces who wear that uniform in pride and they want us to get it right too.”