Most importantly, he says, Ireland has been guaranteed continued representation at the European Commission.

VOA: standard.2009.10.02

The report by Ms Pietikainen said women's representation in the European Parliament had risen to 35% and in the EU Commission the representation of women "is stagnating at one-third".

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"I am particularly pleased that the Appointments Commission was keen to increase representation in the field of music and the arts, " he continued.

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The European Commission is currently without a boss for its representation in London.

ECONOMIST: European politics