Reborn Noonan revelling in limelight

He was branded Fine Gael’s lost leader, but now Michael Noonan is teaching his successor a lesson in how to connect with the real world.

Few who witnessed Mr Noonan’s car crash general election campaign of 2001 would have predicted such a transformation. Then, his inability to connect with voters was manifest and helped ensure Fine Gael was almost swept away as it battled against the tide of electoral history as the Celtic Tiger was erupting into its full roar.

The sight of the Fine Gael leader wiping away the remnants of a custard pie that had been splattered in his face came to symbolise Mr Noonan’s disastrous attempt to take on the mantle of Taoiseach.