As far as grillings go, this week was another eventful one in the European Parliament, with a good number of Commissioners elect being put under the scrutiny of us Members to be able to judge their competence and knowledge of their respective Portfolios.

This practice, as gruelling as it may seem, has helped in no small measure to ensure that the team of 28 Commissioners is made up of the best persons possible, whilst leaving as little margin of error as possible. Unfortunately, one can only go so far in making assessments but being able to interview these candidates in such detail is certainly a very big advantage.

For me in particular this was a very hectic week, having to prepare and attend the hearing of three Commissioners elect that will be carrying the portfolios of the Committees that I form part of. 

Finland's Katainen who Jean Claude Junker has entrusted with the Jobs and Growth Portfolio was very well versed in the subject and answered all the questions put to him with clarity and knowhow. 

Mr Katainen who was Prime Minister of Finland and who during his term in office helped his country weather the economic and financial crisis but taking some very well timed decisions showed from an early stage that he will be an asset to the European Union in the capacity entrusted to him. In my opinion and that of many other fellow MEPs, he is the right man for the job and his contributions will be very important during the Juncker legislature. Prioritizing on investment and job creation was the answer he gave me when I asked him what his priorities were and this is very much in line with what Europe needs at this delicate moment when our continent is slowly regaining momentum after the financial and economic problems that we faced during the best part of the last ten years.

Valdis Dombrovskis' hearing was also very interesting and my former colleague from Latvia who was also Prime Minister of his country shoed composure and gave a reassuring performance that regarded a portfolio seen by many as very high on the agenda - the Euro and Social Dialogue - He will also be the vice President of the Commission.

During the hearing, I asked Mr. Dombrovskis about the Social impact assessment that

The Troika project will have on our continent especially after the bailouts for Greece, Portugal and Cyprus.

The Commissioner elect's reaction that keeping the citizen at the heart of every decision that is made was very much in line to the way of thinking of the European Parliament as a whole and I am sure that with his energy and ideas together with a strong ability in decision making, the Commissioner elect from Latvia will leave no stone unturned to ensure a better way of living to all Europeans and to further cement the principles of subsidiarity, dialogue and solidarity in our societies.

The Belgian Commissioner elect Marianne Thyssen will be heading the one of the most delicate and important portfolios, as it is maybe the portfolio that most directly effects Europe's five hundred million citizens. In her naturally calm but firm manner, Ms. Thyssen was very clear and straight to the point during the whole of the three hours or so that us Members had at our disposal to see what her strengths and weaknesses were. Very well read and very well prepared the Belgian showed that she had a clear agenda and a clear plan on how to carry it out. Effective and concise, Ms Thyssen will be entrusted with the Employment, Social affairs, skills and labour mobility. She stressed on the importance of striking the right balance in decision-making and on the importance of nurturing entrepreneurial spirit in our younger generation. Her vast experience working with SME's and in other Employment related areas and her remarkable technical knowledge will definitely help her in the role entrusted to her and in addressing unemployment and poverty in the European Union.  It is a huge post that she was entrusted with. In my opinion, her showing was the best one so far and we are all expecting great things from her. I am sure we will not be disappointed.

It is now time to get the ball rolling. Some Commissioners have impressed from the start, some other were not as convincing but I am sure that they all deserve and need time to settle in their new reality. Only time can tell us what this team is capable of, as MEP's we want this Commission to work hard and succeed, as its success will mean success for Europe.

David Casa is the PN's head of delegation within the European Parliament