The European Commission has appointed Peter Power as the next head of the European Commission Representation in Dublin.
Peter Power is a life-long EU civil servant. He previously worked as Head of Cabinet to Irish European Commissioner Phil Hogan and later Commissioner Mairead McGuinness.
Earlier in his career he worked for British commissioners in Brussels including the EU’s foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton and Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson.
As head of the European Commission’s Ireland office he will “act as the official representative of the European Commission in Ireland under the political authority of President Ursula von der Leyen.”
The Irish government has welcomed his appointment. The Irish embassy in Brussels said he “will receive a warm welcome back to Dublin and we look forward to working together closely.”
The European Commission said Peter Power would bring “a wealth of political acumen, managerial experience, and representational expertise…he has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and an in-depth mastery of, not only EU policies, but also the institutional landscape, and the Commission’s collaboration with Member States.”
In September last year, the European Commission moved into a purpose built new office just off Dublin’s Grafton Street. Complete with a rooftop terrace, the building is shared with the European Parliament. It was reportedly bought from the developer at a cost of €40 million.
The European Commission has representation offices in all 27 capitals of EU member states as well as a number of regional offices in other major cities in Spain, Germany, Poland and Italy.
“The Representations are the Commission’s eyes, ears and voice on the ground in EU Member States”, the European Commission said in a statement.
Peter Power is expected to take up the post in Dublin later in the year.