The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, is emerging as the favourite to become the next Irish EU Commissioner, with the strongest speculation in Government circles centring on the possibility of Ireland securing the agriculture portfolio.
With the Government hopeful that its successful stewardship of the EU presidency will ensure it receives a powerful portfolio in the shake-up, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said yesterday that he would select his nominee before the end of the month.
Mr Walsh would be the only candidate for the agriculture portfolio if it came to Ireland. He has also indicated in private that he wants the job.
But with some sources speculating that Ireland might yet be in the running for an economic portfolio, he will not be a contender if the agriculture commissionership goes elsewhere.
The repeated claims by the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, that he does not want to go to Europe are seen by some in political circles as evidence that he remains in contention should the possibility of an economic post emerge.
This is considered unlikely, however, given that France and Germany are lobbying hard for the economic commissionership in return for agreement to sanction the appointment last week of the Portuguese Prime Minister, Mr José Manuel Barroso, as President of the Commission.
While the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, is also emerging as a possible candidate, he is considered an unlikely nominee by informed sources. The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, has also been mentioned in connection with the post.
Mr Ahern said on RTÉ radio yesterday that Mr Barroso would start consultations on the formation of his Commission after July 22nd, once his nomination is ratified by the European Parliament. "Towards the last week in July he will start talking to prime ministers, so I'll talk to him then," said the Taoiseach.
Mr Ahern is expected to move early to select his nominee in order to establish a clear presence in the field before Mr Barroso starts a round of meetings with the 25 leaders to determine the composition of his Commission.
The Taoiseach is said to enjoy good relations with Mr Barroso following his appointment last week as a compromise candidate for the presidency.
While Mr Barroso was one of those who was urging Mr Ahern to allow his name to go forward, there is speculation among Dublin sources that he will do the Taoiseach a favour when appointing his Commission.
However, Mr Barroso moved last week to emphasise his independence from the EU leaders who nominated him.