‘MISSED OPPORTUNITY’

TIMID, drab, stale and pedestrian – just some of the words being used to describe Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s much anticipated Cabinet reshuffle.

Far from giving the Government a fresh look, no one was sacked and only two new ministers were promoted to the top table – and the elevation of Pat Carey, 62, and Tony Killeen, 57, actually raised the average age of Cabinet members.

Embattled Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and out of favour Mary Hanafin both suffered embarrassing demotions, while Mr Cowen ignored the cost-cutting recommendations of the McCarthy report and refused to axe the tourism or Gaeltacht departments, or drop any serving minister from the Cabinet at all.

Some Fianna Fáil backbenchers privately expressed dismay that the shake-up had not been more radical and hopes within the party for a major re-working of government departments to give more muscle and urgency to job creation and economic recovery were largely dashed.

Ms Coughlan was given the consolation prize of the education brief being expanded to take on some training elements as she swapped portfolios with Batt O’Keeffe, who was the major winner of the reshuffle, gaining the renamed Enterprise, Trade and Innovation department.

Despite pushing through huge social welfare cuts and strongly defending the Government’s austerity policies, Ms Hanafin was demoted to a revamped Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, with her previous role going to Éamon O Cuív in the newly expanded Department of Social Protection.

His previous job at Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs was widened to include equality and went to Mr Carey, who was promoted to the Cabinet along with Clare TD Tony Killeen at Defence.

John Curran was raised to Chief Whip and Dara Calleary given the role of public service transformation minister, but this will not have the added gravitas of a “super-junior” Cabinet seat role as some had predicted.

The Greens won their very public tussle to get a second junior post as Ciarán Cuffe was given the nod as sustainable transport minister and replaces Trevor Sargent as food minister after he was forced to resign last month, while party colleague Mary White gets the equality brief.

Fianna Fáil backbenchers privately expressed anger that Seán Connick was the only member from their ranks to gain promotion to a junior position as he was elevated to an agriculture post.

Mary Harney was kept on as Health Minister despite severe criticism of her performance in recent weeks and her judgment in choosing to go to New Zealand for a two-week taxpayer funded St Patrick’s Day tour.

Fine Gael expressed dismay that the word “employment” had been removed from the Trade and Enterprise department’s full title, claiming this meant the Government was not serious about tackling Ireland’s 434,000 live register toll.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said: “The Taoiseach is giving the same team more time to do more damage.”

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore branded the Government a “hollow failure” that was fast running out of time.

The Taoiseach defended the nature of his reshuffle, saying the main aim was to boost job creation.

“This is no time for soft options, quick fixes or political expediency.

“Now more than ever, we must do what is right. If we make the right choices, we can steer Ireland out of these rough waters.”

Former defence minister Willie O’Dea was forced to resign from the Cabinet under a cloud last month and Martin Cullen quit for health reasons.