BRUSSELS — Watch the Hearing for Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner (Designate) for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union.
Mairead McGuinness, born 13 June 1959, from Ireland, was elected First Vice-President of the European Parliament in January 2017 and was re-elected to the post in July 2019. She has been a Vice-President of the Parliament since July 2014.
This new hearing came shortly after Commissioner Phil Hogan has submitted his resignation on 26 August 2020.
Hearing and Confirmation Process
Mrs McGuinness was heard by the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) for MEPs evaluate if she is suitable to become a member of the College of Commissioners and if she is qualified to carry out the particular duties assigned to her.
The hearings of Mairead McGuinness – Commissioner-designate in charge of financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union – and Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis – set to assume responsibility for the trade portfolio – are scheduled to take place on 2 October.
Mrs McGuinness was heard by the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee from 9.00 to 12.00, where MEPs evaluated if she is suitable to become a member of the College of Commissioners and if she is qualified to carry out the particular duties assigned to her.
Mr Dombrovskis was heard by the International Trade Committee from 13.00 to 16.00. The Committees on Foreign Affairs, on Economic and Monetary Affairs, on Development and on Budgets was invited to participate and allowed for members to ask one oral question each. Since he is already a member of the Commission, Mr Dombrovskis only has to answer questions on whether he is suitable for the portfolio assigned to him.
Before the hearings started, Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee examined the declaration of financial interests presented by Commissioner-designate McGuinness and Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis to confirm that there is no conflict of interests in connection with their future portfolio in the Commission. Both also have to respond to written questions addressed to them by the responsible committees.
The hearings were followed immediately by meetings in which the Chairs and group representatives (coordinators) of the committees evaluated their performances.
On Monday, 5 October, the Conference of Committee Chairs will assess the outcome of the two hearings and forward its conclusions to the Conference of Presidents. The latter is responsible for the final evaluation and decision to close the hearings or request further actions, in its meeting on 6 October. The vote by EP Plenary is scheduled for 7 October.
European Commission outlined the President’s vision for McGuinness to carry out her duties as Commissioner (Designate) for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union.
Mairead McGuinness’ Biography
First Vice-President of the European Parliament
2017-present
Vice-President of the European Parliament
2014-2017
Member of the European Parliament
2004-present
Member of Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, European Parliament
2004-present
Member of Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, European Parliament
2009-present
Member of Committee on Constitutional Affairs, European Parliament
2017-present
Member of Committee on Budgets, European Parliament
2004-2009
Member of Committee on Petitions, European Parliament
2004-2011
Vice-Chair, Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association
Parliamentary Committee, European Parliament
2014-2019
Vice-Chair, EPP Group, European Parliament
2013-2014
Chair, Temporary Committee of Inquiry into the Crisis of the Equitable Life Assurance
Society, European Parliament
2006-2007
Chair, Consumer Liaison Panel, Department for Agriculture and Food, Ireland
2002-2004
Journalist, broadcaster and commentator
1980-2004
Certified Diploma in Accounting and Finance
1984
BAgrSc Agricultural Economics, University College Dublin
1980
