Charlie McCreevy - European Commissioner

European Commissioner

In 2004, McCreevy was selected by the Government to replace David Byrne as Ireland's European Commissioner. He was appointed to the Internal Market and Services portfolio by President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso. At his confirmation hearings in the European Parliament MEPs described him as “fluent and relaxed” giving straightforward answers in a refreshing and engaging manner. He also informed them that he had campaigned for the ratification of every European Treaty since 1972.

He describes his approach to his portfolio is;

You will find me ready to meet, discuss, listen and argue on how best to deliver to our citizens the real benefits of an Internal Market. There are enormous challenges facing the EU in the coming period on which we all must find common ground. I want our policies to show that EU means something real and positive to the people in Europe

McCreevy's EU Services Sector Competition Directive, sets out to achieve full competition in the Services sector across the EU. This is rather difficult to implement in practical terms. It is also very unpopular politically in large countries with high unemployment rates like France, Germany and Italy. McCreevy's determination to push this through, did result in much conflict. McCreevy could not see why the level of competition sought in the directive needed to be compromised. His viewpoint was that lack of competition was hurting consumers, without corresponding benefits to other interested parties.

McCreevy has sided with the major record labels who are trying to extend a fifty year copyright exemption to ninety five years. In 2008 McCreevy was a supporter of attempts to introduce software patents in the European Union.

Following his departure from the Commission, McCreevy was forced to resign from the board of a new banking firm, NBNK Investments, after an EU ethics committee found a conflict of interest with his work as commissioner in charge of financial regulation. This is first time that a former member of the EU executive has had to resign a directorship the 2003 system for overseeing the work of retired commissioners.