Former Cork Fine Gael North Central TD, Dara Murphy’s job at the European Commission has come to an end just seven months after he took up the post. Mr Murphy moved into the position in the cabinet of the Bulgarian European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel in December after resigning from his position in the Dáil under the shadow of an expenses scandal. A former European Affairs minister, Mr Murphy became a well-regarded figure in Brussels in the wake of Brexit as EU counterparts found him personable and valued his ability to explain Ireland’s unique dilemmas. Sources in the EPP say that Mr Murphy did not distinguish himself during his time as campaign director, which he performed simultaneously to his role as a TD. Ms Gabriel, a former EPP vice-president, appointed Mr Murphy to her cabinet just as the expenses scandal broke in Dublin.

Source: The Irish Times July 03, 2020 08:00 UTC