A HOST of names have been speculated as possible replacements for Phil Hogan at the European Commission following his resignation.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has asked the Irish government to suggest a man and a woman as candidates for the position of Irish commissioner.
The Republic is not guaranteed to retain the influential trade portfolio Mr Hogan held as Dr von der Leyen could decide to reshuffle her cabinet.
If the Irish government is intent on retaining the trade portfolio, some have suggested it would need to propose a major political figure, such as Tánaiste Leo Varadkar or foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney.
Justice minister Helen McEntee, the former minister for European affairs, has also been tipped as a potential candidate.
However, appointing a cabinet minister or serving TD seems unlikely.
The fledgling three-party government already has to replace Fianna Fáil's Dara Calleary following his resignation as agriculture minister over the 'Golfgate' controversy.
The government would surely also want to avoid an accompanying by-election, which it may struggle to win.
Possible names suggested include European Parliament vice-president Mairead McGuinness and former tánaiste and serving MEP Frances Fitzgerald.
Others include former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, former EU ambassador to the US David O'Sullivan, and Catherine Day, a former secretary-general of the European Commission.
