On 2nd Ocober 2020, Mairead McGUINNESS, from Ireland, Commissioner-designate, Financial Services, Financial Stability and the Capital Markets Union, is heard by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) of the European Parliament in Brussels to test her general competences, European commitment and specific expertise related to her portfolio. Press point of Mairead McGUINNESS following her Hearing The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Brussels

press point

McGUINNESS, Mairead (EPP, IE)

hearing of Mairead MCGUINNESS 2020 (T)

Press point following the hearing of Mairead McGUINNESS, European Commissioner-designate for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union

SOUNDBITE (Original), Mairead MCGUINNESS, Commissioner-designate in charge of financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union, So good afternoon, colleagues. I'm trying to be very careful with my mask.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Mairead MCGUINNESS, Commissioner-designate in charge of financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union, As you know, we've had a three hour hearing with colleagues in the ECON committee. This is a really serious process because I am held to account for the future of this sector, financial stability.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Mairead MCGUINNESS, Commissioner-designate in charge of financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union, I think we had a very good debate, a very strong debate on some of the core issues. But as you know, this process is not complete and out of full respect to the ECON committee and the colleagues.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Mairead MCGUINNESS, Commissioner-designate in charge of financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union, I'm going to wait until this evening before I make any further comment. And just lastly, to say that the issues that we discussed today are important to everyone in the European Union, to every citizen, to every business, large or small.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Mairead MCGUINNESS, Commissioner-designate in charge of financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union, I tried to put in context the situation today, which is unprecedented and very different than one year ago. We are dealing with the impact of a public health pandemic.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Mairead MCGUINNESS, Commissioner-designate in charge of financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union, We are uncertain about its future. But I think we have to give some certainty to citizens about our plans to deal with whatever comes our way.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Mairead MCGUINNESS, Commissioner-designate in charge of financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union, It has been a huge honour to be nominated by my country, Ireland. I am now putting my hands in the colleagues on the ECON Committee to make their decision, and I will now refrain from further comments. And I hope you will respect my wishes in that regard. Thank you very much.