Careful choice needed for finance job

TAOISEACH-in-waiting Brian Cowen will have to choose his replacement as minister for finance with care, economists have warned.

While much attention is on the next-in-line for the post of tánaiste, straightened economic circumstances mean the finance brief and whoever holds it are going to come under intense scrutiny in the year ahead.

“Whoever it is, come December, they will face the most difficult budget in 10 years and will have to handle it very prudently even if it’s not popular,” said Alan McQuaid, chief economist at Bloxham Stockbrokers.