Mary Coughlan is the new Tnaiste.
Brian Lenihan new Minister for Finance.
Cannot believe Coughlan got that job
Batt OāKeefe becomes Minister for Education
Brendan Smith Minister for Agriculture
Mary Hanafin Minister for Social Welfare
Transport - Noel Dempsey
Justice - Dermot Ahern
Art Sport & Tourism - Martin Cullen
Martin for Foreign Affairs.
Mary OāRourke lauded the appointment of Coughlan as Tanaiste. She said it shows that there is no longer discrimination against women in the Fianna Fail party.
No consideration given as to whether she is actually deserves the job.
Strange to see Lenihan getting Finance after only 10 months in Justice - why didnāt he just put Ahern into Finance instead of Justice. Apparently Ahern is not well liked by the parlimentary partyā¦
Ahern didnāt look too happy from what I saw of him. Just from his reactions and things I donāt think he was overly pleased.
Lenihan seems a capable guy and was just shafted by Bertie because of his family connections. Incredible to think that that other moron is his brother but I think Lenihan is a bright enough fellow and he did fine in the short spell he had in justice - a welcome relief from the totalitarianism and publicity seeking McDowell engaged in.
Is Tnaiste considered second in command or would a senior ministerial position like Finance or Foreign Affairs be considered to have more sway than Coughlanās dual Tnaiste and Enterprise, Trade and Employment role? It seems like quite a promotion to go from Agriculture to what she has now. Obviously nobody wanted to take Health from Mary Harney. Itās rare to see someone replaced from the Cabinet in Irish politics. Again, the new ministers are coming in for those resigning themselves.
Iād say thereās an equality about the Tnaiste role and the Minister of Finance. Thereās no real influence from Enterprise, Trade and Employment so it might be just a sop to Coughlan and gender balance to give her that job, while the interests of the country have been placed in the hands of Lenihan - more of a real job and far more policy influence.
Think the Minister of Finance has special authorities from the Constitution so itās considered the main ministry.
Dick Roche was sacked a while ago from Environment.
Bryan Dobson put that to Mary OāRourke yesterday saying that there were no dismissals and she said went on about how many people were disappointed the last time that happened with Albert Reynolds. Of course people are going to be disappointed when they get the sack but it is still no reason not to sack them.
Noel Dempsey was upset that he didnāt get Finance - what tāfuck? Can you imagine that guy as Minister for Finance? We would be screwed and not in a good way. Martin Cullen still holds on his front bench post unbelieveably.
I think Couglan is a token Tanaiste with no real chance of landing the top job - much like John Wilson was back in the dayā¦
[quote=āfarmerinthecityā]
Noel Dempsey was upset that he didnāt get Finance - what tāfuck? Can you imagine that guy as Minister for Finance? [/quote]
Just spoke to Farmer Senior there about this and he was going nuts that Dempsey would have the neck to even look for Finance. In his words - āhe canāt even look after his own department as it stands never mind Financeāā¦
Christ thatāll put manners on Dempsey. Wait till he finds out how upset Farmer Senior is.
Iād say heāll resignā¦