Demoted Hanafin 'delighted' with new Cabinet role
Former Social Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin insisted tonight that she was genuinely delighted with her shift to a rebranded Tourism, Culture and Sport portfolio as part of the Cabinet rejig.
Dismissing suggestions the ministerial brief – vacated by Martin Cullen over health reasons – was regarded a governmental departure lounge, the Dun Laoghaire TD said she was not “overly surprised” with the move.
In a display of defiance over An Bord Snip proposals to axe the department, Ms Hanafin said she fought off McCarthy Report recommendations to shut down agencies in the former Department of Social and Family Affairs.
“I’m certainly not going to let in happen with my (new) department,” she said.
Ms Hanafin said Taoiseach Brian Cowen has asked her to focus on the economic aspects of her new tourism role.
“I spent the last two years dealing with people who lost their jobs, what I want to do now is to deal with the 200,000 who have jobs in the tourism industry and the make sure they hold them and expand that.”
Rejecting claims her move was a demotion, Ms Hanafin said she remained one of only 12 women Government ministers since the foundation of the State, and every day around the Cabinet table was an achievement.
Kerry-born, but long-time Dublin-based, Fianna Fáil TD Pat Carey – who takes control of the revamped Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs - denied the reshuffle had more to do with ensuring a geographic spread around the Cabinet than merit.
But Clare TD Tony Killeen, who takes over from Limerick’s recently-resigned Defence Minister Willie O’Dea, admitted there would be an expectation in Clare that local issues will now get more prominence at the Government’s top table.
The former junior minister also revealed he wasn’t seeking promotion.
“I have to admit it wasn’t a particular ambition of mine at any point,” he said.
Mr Killeen said he would be happy to task the Irish Army on future UN missions.
Wexford TD Sean Connick, who has been promoted to junior minister, also nodded to the geographical importance of the move for the south east, after the resignation of neighbour and former Tourism Minister Martin Cullen.
“I’m delighted for the people of New Ross, Wexford and the people for the south-east, it’s a great recognition of the area,” he said.
New chief whip John Curran said he had a job on his hands making up the tight numbers in the Dail to push through Government policy.
“It is going to be difficult and challenging,” he said.
“But I’m confident from the numbers we have that the programme will be successfully brought through the Houses (of the Oireachtas).”
