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The Government today nominated Mr Tony Murphy as the new Irish member of the European Court of Auditors. Mr Murphy is currently serving as a Director of the European Court of Auditors. Mr Murphy will succeed Mr Kevin Cardiff who completes his term of office in February 2018. 

Mr Murphy has over 30 years of experience in auditing both at national level in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and at European level in the European Commission and the European Court of Auditors.

Mr Murphy was chosen following a competitive interview based on experience, skills and ability to perform effectively in the position.

The Government will convey Mr Murphy's nomination to the authorities in Brussels, following which a process of consultation with the European Parliament will be launched. This will include a hearing before the Budgetary Control Committee of the Parliament. Mr Murphy's nomination will subsequently go before the European Council for final approval.

Mr Murphy would then be expected to begin a six year term as of March 2018.

Note for Editors
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) is the EU's independent external auditor. It checks if the budget of the European Union has been implemented correctly, and that EU funds have been raised and spent legally and in accordance with the principles of sound financial management. It was established in 1977 and became a fully-fledged EU institution in 1993. 

Article 285 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU provides that the ECA shall consist of one national of each Member State and that its Members shall be completely independent in the performance of their duties, in the Union's general interest. 

Article 286 provides that the Members of the ECA shall be chosen from among persons who belong or have belonged in their respective States to external audit bodies or who are especially qualified for the office. Their independence must be beyond doubt. During their term of office they may not engage in any other occupation. Members of the Court are appointed for six years, renewable. 

Mr Murphy's nomination follows a publicly advertised selection process. A Selection Committee (Secretary General to the Government; Secretary General, Department of Finance; Ms Justice Catherine McGuinness, retired Supreme Court Judge; and Mr Donal de Buitléir, Chairperson of the Low Pay Commission) considered expressions of interest and made a recommendation to the Government following a shortlisting process and competitive interview. 


Tony James Murphy - Career Summary

1 May 2017 to Present 
Director of Chamber IV - Regulation of Markets and Competitive Economy, European Court of Auditors

1 January 2013 to 30 April 2017 
Head of Private Office of Ms Ivanova, Bulgarian member of the European Court of Auditors

1 April 2007 to 31 December 2012 
Head of Internal Audit Unit, European Commission - Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs

1 June 2003 to 31 March 2007 
Auditor, European Commission - Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs

1 November 1999 to 31 May 2003 
Detached National Expert, European Commission - Directorate General Economic and Financial Affairs

1 October 1979 to 31 October 1999 
Senior Auditor, Auditor, Assistant Auditor, Trainee Auditor - Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Ireland)