Ireland's European Union Commissioner has been included on a list of nominees for a position in the new Commission.

Phil Hogan is one of 26 names that President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker has sent to the Italian Prime Minister in his capacity as President of the EU Council.

This follows a series of interviews Mr Juncker held with each of the candidates over the past few days.

The Council has to now agree to the list - after which it will be published in the the EU Statute Book.

Formation of Juncker Commission advances: http://t.co/ZeNj6JPRis pic.twitter.com/ArmUCUokJT

— EC Rep Ireland (@eurireland) September 5, 2014

It comes amid increasing speculation that Mr Hogan is set to take the agriculture job in the next administration.

Ireland has been lobbying for a high-profile job in the next Commission, with agriculture or trade mentioned as possibilities.

Mr Juncker intends to announce who gets what portfolio mid-next week.

Nine of the people on the list are women, which is the same number of women that were in the last Commission.

While Federica Mogherini of Italy has been appointed as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.