Ireland’s political landscape is about to enter a new era. Political change is coming fast, and at last the people of Ireland know when they can finally have their say on which political party or parties are best served to lead this country through these tough economic times.
Fianna Fáil is in absolute disarray and the country is being led by a Taoiseach without a mandate to do so and without adequate backing of his own party.
The resignation this week of six ministers (five of whom come from the Fianna Fáil ranks ) left Brian Cowen with a Cabinet reduced from 15 ministers to nine.
People need political change and want hope to be restored. It is time to get back to work and fix our finances. In seven weeks - March 11 - a new government will be elected.
Dubbed a stroke by Brian Cowen, the resignation of cabinet ministers this week backfired. Instead of appointing new ministers to replace those outgoing, sitting Ministers have been further burdened with additional duties due to the reassignment of important portfolios. Health, justice, transport, enterprise, defence, and foreign affairs have all been reassigned to sitting ministers, including Brian Cowen himself.
The elevation of back benchers to front bench positions didn’t materialise as was rumoured early yesterday (Thursday ), despite some anticipation here in Mayo that Dara Calleary would have benefited. Although, had Junior Minister Calleary been promoted, it could have affected his chances after the General Election should he retain his seat and Micheal Martin or Mary Hanafin find themselves leading the party.
Fianna Fáil’s government partners the Greens’ absence from the Dáil yesterday, as the Taoiseach finally addressed the house, spoke volumes of their current position. They had effectively pulled whatever rank they possessed and prevented Brian Cowen from promoting TDs from the backbenches to the front.
It is welcome news that a date for the election has at last been set. At least candidates now have a date to work towards. But Fianna Fáil are still in disarray in Mayo with Junior Minister Calleary the only confirmed candidate to run. Dermot Flanagan’s withdrawal only days after he declared his intention to become Castlebar’s candidate caused further damage at home, while nationally the party are falling asunder. However, a meeting of the Mayo Dáil Ceanntair last night was due to announce a date for the selection convention with a number of possible candidates still interested.
But back to Brian Cowen. Maybe instead of going to the President to offer the resignation of the ministers, some say he should have dissolved the Dáil. Obviously the Greens want to see the Climate Change Bill come into law and need the Government to remain in place until that has been achieved. But the Government is operating without a real mandate anymore. Brian Cowen has obviously lost the support of Micheál Martin and Mary Hanafin as well as a host of back benchers and the party, on a national level, have lost all credibility. His handling of the IMF debacle sullied his reputation. Events of recent weeks have shown Brian Cowen in a terrible light. While he did redeem himself somewhat in the energy and determination he showed in the face of a no confidence vote by Micheál Martin, the mass resignation of retiring ministers this week and the ‘stroke’ he attempted to pull by promoting new ministers backfired when the Greens obviously pulled rank.
On a local level we will see the retirement of Deputy Beverley Flynn.
Junior Minister Dara Calleary is fully geared up to battle to retain his seat. Who his running mate will be remains to be seen but it is certainly the end of an era and the end of a disastrous term in office by Brian Cowen. Roll on March 11.
Toni Bourke
Editor [email protected]
