The Government has nominated former minister Maire Geoghegan Quinn to serve a second six-year term as the Irish member of the European Court of Auditors.
Ms Geoghegan Quinn is Ireland's outgoing representative on the body, and her reappointment will mean she will serve 12 years in the Luxembourg-based post, which pays in the region of €250,000 a year.
The Government decision ends speculation about the post, in particular rumours that Minister for Social and Family Affairs Séamus Brennan could be nominated to the post, allowing for another Cabinet reshuffle.
Ms Geoghegan Quinn's reappointment has to be approved by the European Council in consultation with the European Parliament, but this is seen as a formality. Once she is approved, after hearings held by the budgetary control committee of the European Parliament, she will begin her second term in March 2006.
Announcing the decision to renominate Ms Geoghegan Quinn yesterday, the Taoiseach said she had "given outstanding service on the European Court of Auditors, where she is making a substantial contribution to the work of this important EU institution.
"The Government is happy to nominate her for reappointment to the court, where she will be able to continue her work in ensuring that the citizens of Europe obtain maximum value for the funds spent through the EU budget."