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Irishman to head EU’s competition department

The European Commission has appointed Irishman Anthony Whelan as director-general of its competition department, which enforces EU competition law across the union. 

He is currently deputy director-general for state-aid policy in the competition department and previously served as digital adviser to commission president Ursula von der Leyen. 

Whelan studied law at Trinity College Dublin and later qualified as a barrister at King’s Inns. 

He worked at the Court of Justice of the European Union before joining the European Commission in 2000.

‘Extensive experience’ 

The commission said that Whelan brought extensive expertise in competition and internal-market policy to the role. 

The EU body added that he had “a proven ability” to steer “highly sensitive” policy files, such as those on digital policy, delivering legislation such as the Digital Services Act (DSA). 

“His experience spans key areas central to EU competition matters, including state aid, industrial and digital policy, research and innovation, and macro-economic and financial services matters, giving him a broad and integrated understanding of how competition policy supports the union's strategic objectives,” a commission statement said.