‘Big Phil’ has huge shoes to fill

The selection of an Irishman to head up the Agriculture portfolio at the European Commission will be seen as a major feather in the cap for the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, following a pretty fruitful week on the European front for a Government about to come under renewed attack from the Opposition.

In the early years of the Government, the Kilkenny man emerged as a lightning rod for protest. From charges for water and septic tanks, from the reorganisation of local Government to the phasing in of the property tax, ‘Big Phil’ has found himself engaged in plenty of heavy political lifting.

He is a seasoned politician with considerable organisational skills, and a personality that can teeter between heartiness and gruffness.