DUBLIN, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Irish government has nominated two candidates as Ireland's next European Commissioner, according to a government statement released here on Friday.

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin "has today written to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to propose for nomination as Member of the European Commission Mairead McGuinness, currently vice president of the European Parliament, and Andrew McDowell, until recently vice president of the European Investment Bank," said the statement.

The statement said that von der Leyen will consult with the European Parliament before the appointment of a new Commissioner is made by the European Council.

Irish national radio and television broadcaster RTE reported that von der Leyen will interview the two candidates next week.

The nomination of the candidates for Ireland's next European Commissioner came after its former European Commissioner for Trade, Phil Hogan, resigned in late August after he was accused of breaching COVID-19 restrictions during his trip to Ireland.

A European Commissioner is a member of the 27-member College of Commissioners. Each member holds a specific portfolio.

Ireland's new European Commissioner may not necessarily be assigned the same portfolio as held by Phil Hogan in the European Commission, according to local media reports quoting sources familiar with the matter.