Tánaiste incapable, says McGuinness

SACKED junior minister John McGuinness has broken ranks from Fianna Fáil to publicly accuse Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan of being incapable of resolving the employment crisis.

Speaking on the Late Late Show last night the outspoken Carlow-Kilkenny TD — who was axed from his minister of state for trade and commerce position during Wednesday’s junior minister cull — claimed the Government’s deputy leader needed to be removed for the good of the country.

Lashing out at the Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister’s lack of “business understanding” and inability to react to stem the job losses tide, the Government backbencher said his former ministerial boss was suffering from “paralysis” in power.

Warning that if Brian Cowen continued to act in the interests of Fianna Fáil “business as usual” instead of the country, Mr McGuinness said Ireland will be doomed to an era of economic failure.

“I don’t believe she is in the right position, no,” he said when asked about Ms Coughlan’s future, claiming he told the minister of his views before Wednesday’s cut in junior ministers.

“She was good in agriculture, but we’ve needed to react differently to what’s happened, there was a need for greater understanding of business and better political leadership.

“Two years out from the job losses at Dell there needed to be a change of approach.

“I have confidence in Brian... but he has to shift his mind-set. If he grasps that he goes back to what’s good for the country, not just for Fianna Fáil. If not he risks losing the confidence of the party and our position in the world economy.”