According to RTÉ News, Michael McGrath, Ireland’s nominee for the European Commission, was confirmed after a three-hour hearing this morning, reports RTE.
It is believed that his candidacy as the European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, and the Rule of Law has received support from the major political parties.
Only two political parties refused to back Mr. McGrath: the Patriots party and the far-right Europe of Sovereign Nations.
This indicates that he has the support of two-thirds of the coordinators of the main committee, reports RTE.
On November 21, his confirmation will be formally verified.
Mr. McGrath assured MEPs that if elected Commissioner for Justice, he would give the protection of children from internet danger top priority.
In the present geopolitical environment, he stated, “we must cherish and defend the values that made the EU a beacon of peace, tolerance, and hope, including democracy, respect for fundamental rights, and the rule of law,” reports RTE.
He praised Nobel Prize laureate John Hume, “one of the politicians who inspired me during my formative years … a peacemaker, statesman, and a proud member of this Parliament for 25 years,” when addressing MEPs from several committees.
“I assure you that in my work, your voice and the voice of the people you represent, will be heard,” reports RTE.
In his opening remarks, Mr. McGrath offered his sympathies to the members of the Spanish committee “for the terrible loss that you have suffered in Valencia in recent days.” We have broken hearts.
A “work in progress” is how Mr. McGrath characterised EU democracy.
He stated that threats, misinformation, and advanced artificial intelligence manipulation techniques were among the dangers to the June European elections, reports RTE.
Additionally, Mr. McGrath stated that he will draft a Digital Fairness Act as commissioner to strengthen consumer protection, especially for minors, if approved.
“I want to make sure that consumers are not exploited for commercial purposes, that social media influencers are not misleading our consumers, and that our children are sufficiently protected online. I will address dark patterns, marketing by social media influencers, addictive design of digital products and unfair personalisation practices,” reports RTE.
“Respect for our values applies to everyone: democracy, equality, rule of law, freedom, human rights, respect for human dignity,” Mr. McGrath said in response to a far-right MEP’s question about whether he would combat Islamic terrorism and safeguard “freedom of thought, freedom of speech, equality between women and men,” making sure that “NGOs or universities linked to radical Islamic organisations [such as] Hamas” were not funded by the EU. These cannot be negotiated.
He asserted that the right to free speech was not unqualified.
“There has to be an appropriate balance struck in ensuring that we do not in any way tolerate hateful language or anything that is moving into the criminal area that can have an impact on the citizens of the European Union in relation to funding of NGOs and different groups,” reports RTE.
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