John Downing: Michael McGrath is right man at the wheel for EU’s rocky road ahead

As the world fixated on the US at a political crossroads and Ireland puzzled over specific election timing, Michael McGrath deftly glided into his new job as Irish EU Commissioner. His non-showboating approach to a very effective role in public life so far stood to him as he easily passed the trial-by-ordeal that is the ratification hearing process at the European Parliament. This is the time when the MEPs are at their most powerful and they frequently pick a few victims, using their nuclear power to veto the entire commission if they fail to get changes.

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