EU approves European Commission candidates

09/02/2010 - 15:40:55
MEPs have approved 26 candidates for the European Commission today, enabling President Barroso’s new team to get down to business.

The vote was 488 in favour, 137 against (with 72 abstaining) and culminates a process that began in September when the president won parliamentary support for a second term.

The new team includes Irish member, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn who said: "I am delighted that the European Parliament has now approved the new European Commission and I am very excited about the next five years as Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science.

"I want to make sure we make full use of Europe's research excellence, Europe's talent and Europe's entrepreneurial spirit.

"Those qualities will be decisive in creating the green, hi-tech economy of the future and in making the 21st century a European century."