Why McCreevy's going: 'Events, dear boy, events'

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern signalled the most radical Cabinet reshuffle of his tenure last night following the dramatic announcement by Charlie McCreevy that he will become Ireland's next EU Commissioner.

Shortly after 8pm last night, a subdued Finance Minister announced that he was taking up the position offered to him by Mr Ahern last week.

Mr McCreevy said he had been asked by Mr Ahern last Tuesday to take up the position and had "oscillated" over the offer for a week before contacting the Taoiseach yesterday afternoon to say he had accepted his offer.

The 54-year-old minister insisted last night that neither the Taoiseach nor any close allies or advisers had brought any pressure to bear and that the final decision was made by himself.

Outlining why he had decided to forego his 27-year Dáil career, he quoted former British Prime Minister Harold MacMillan, saying: "Events, dear boy, events." Comparing himself to a boxer who departed before being defeated in one last fight, Mr McCreevy, who appeared less than his normal effusive self, denied that he had reluctantly accepted the job or had been forced to do it.

Notwithstanding his protests, his departure from the key heavyweight department is seen as giving Mr Ahern an opportunity to effect a major reshuffle of his Cabinet in the autumn that his advisers hope will bring to an end the perception of a PD-dominated Coalition, which many attributed as a factor in the Government parties' poor results in the recent elections.

Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen is seen as the likely contender to succeed Mr McCreevy in finance, with the other potential future leadership candidate Micheál Martin moving to an economic portfolio, possibly enterprise and employment.

The move will give the normally cautious Mr Ahern the opportunity to instigate the most wide-ranging reshuffle of his tenure. However, the move to give the Cabinet a softer and more left-leaning image may also lead to some friction with the PDs, with whom Mr McCreevy was closely associated.

Mr Ahern said last night he was delighted that Mr McCreevy had accepted the nomination.

Mr McCreevy, he added, had enjoyed wide respect in the European institutions, especially as a result of his very successful chairmanship during the presidency. He further intimated that he may be in contention for one of the plum economic portfolios.

Mr McCreevy said he had consulted with his wife and a number of close friends over the weekend, but had not been in touch with any backbenchers, nor had he been put under any pressure to accept the job, a put-down of media reports that backbench pressure had effectively forced him from the job.

Tánaiste Mary Harney last night congratulated Mr McCreevy, saying he had played a key role in bringing about economic recovery.