Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that he expects to speak with the head of the European Commission in the coming days about the Government's nomination of Michael McGrath as commissioner.
The talks with Ursula von der Leyen will take place before the new commission is formed next week, when 26 commissioners are set to be appointed.
Mr Harris said that "Ireland has nominated a person of substance, a person with political experience, a person who has served as a finance minister".
"I note the comments of the President of the Commission yesterday in terms of wanting people who have competency and executive experience. I can assure her that Michael McGrath has both," he added.
Mr McGrath has noted that much of his experience is in the financial and economic realm, indicating that he would welcome a portfolio in those areas. However, competition for those high profile posts is intense.
The Taoiseach was speaking from the southern Polish city of Rzeszow following a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
"I think Ireland has an understanding of economics, of our economic model, of the importance of competitiveness, of small businesses, farmers," Mr Harris said.
The Taoiseach's meeting with Mr Tusk follows his visit to Kyiv yesterday, where he signed a joint memorandum on areas of co-operation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Simon Harris today briefed his Polish counterpart on those talks, and also discussed Irish-Polish relations along with Poland's upcoming presidency of the European Union, which begins in January.
They also discussed European security issues, including challenges along Poland’s border with Belarus, which is supportive of Russia and its war of aggression in Ukraine.
In June, the Polish government introduced a 200-metre exclusion zone along a large stretch of the border in an attempt to curb irregular migration.
The Polish government has come under criticism from NGOs and human rights organisations, which said that they have been unable to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants who cross the border.
Mr Harris and Mr Tusk also discussed the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in the Middle East.
