Shane Ross needs to get a focus on his ministerial responsibilities

Minister for Transport Shane Ross would do well to acknowledge the transport crisis and leave the judiciary well enough alone, writes Gerard Howlin.

SHANE ROSS’s interview with Áine Lawlor on RTÉ’s News at One on Monday was an astonishing imitation of Jim Hacker (Yes, Prime Minister). It left me wondering what he does exactly for a day job. He is Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to be exact. Judicial appointments may need to be improved on, but we don’t have a crisis of confidence in the judiciary. That’s not a reason change shouldn’t be made, or Shane Ross as an Independent Alliance Minister in Government shouldn’t concern himself, but I’d like to hear about the basics first. That means Transport is not Hacker’s department of “administrative affairs”.

Tourism is hugely important, but largely commercially-driven. The State’s role is in overarching policy issues such as the VAT rate for hotels and restaurants. It’s about driving and funding agencies which play an essential role in marketing. But the tourism industry, as distinct from tourism policy, which is only one part of a much bigger dynamic, is private enterprise.