Labour Party leader Mr Pat Rabbitte said this evening the departure of the Minister for Finance as Ireland's next EU Commissioner "will allow Mr Ahern to abandon the damaging and unworkable decentralisation programme".
Congratulating Mr McCreevy on his nomination, Mr Rabbitte added that he was "less confident, however, that the opportunity now presented to implement a more inclusive economic and social policy will be grasped by the Government."
Responding to the announcement Fine Gael Finance Spokesman Mr Richard Bruton questioned the motivation for Mr Ahern's decision.
"One would have to be concerned about Ireland appointing someone who made it so clear over an extended period that they did not wish to take up the job. This does beg the question as to why the Taoiseach selected someone who has admitted a lack of interest in the post."
"I would also question the Taoiseach¹s motive in making this appointment, which seems to be driven more by internal Fianna Fáil concerns than the best interests of the country," he said.