Burke fishes for transpoi
Page 4
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
FORMER EEC transport commissioner Richard Burke it returnini Brussels where he built a solid reputation in charge of the transr portfolio, and has said he would not mind taking over his old j reports our Brussels correspondent.
The decision is expected after Easter, but Mr Burke's chances of taking over the post from the present transport commissioner, the Greek Giorgios Konto Georgis are regarded as slight.
Mr Burke is returning to Brussels to fill the vacancy left by EEC commissioner Michael O'Kennedy's return to Irish politics, and he has felt obliged not only to resign his Dail (Parliament) seat, but to resign from the opposition Fine Gael party, as his move should keep the Fianna Fail Government in power.
Mr Burke spent four years in charge of the EEC transport policy under former president Roy Jenkins and left at the of 1980.
During his spell in office, commission launched initiati' to develop the communit transport infrastructure and tend the quota system.
Since his appointment, Konto Georgis, who also is r ponsible for fisheries policy, I been feeling his way with a n team of top officials, and th have been fewer initiatives cc ing from Brussels.
Mr Kanto Georgis wants stay in the job, primarily cause of Greece's maritime terests, and it is thought ti president Gaston Thorn will I want to reshuffle his team.