Paschal Donohoe top of the class in Cabinet
The time has come once again to examine the performance of the ministers in Government.
From the difficulties of Brexit to the ever-increasing numbers of homeless persons, the tasks facing the Government are many and complex — 2017 has been a challenging year.
Yet, the economy is motoring strongly and the transition of power was relatively smooth, all things being considered.
So, who has proven their worth in Cabinet and who has left a lot to be desired?
When even Fine Gael’s opponents are acknowledging his work on Brexit, you know he has done something right.
A month ago, he looked like the naive Taoiseach who was blindly supporting his beleaguered tánaiste, Frances Fitzgerald, but as the year ends, Varadkar’s position is enhanced.
His standing up to the DUP and the British government and being seen to get his way is a first in my lifetime.
But, he is still learning in the job and has, at times, shown that his normally sharp political instincts have abandoned him.
Also, he is overly concerned with his public image and obsession with PR has led to strong criticism of his Strategic Communications Unit, which many see as a vanity machine for him.
RATING: 6/10
Defeated in the leadership race by Varadkar, Coveney was moved into the plum job of Foreign Affairs.
Has clearly worked hard to heal the divisions within Fine Gael, buoyed by the fact that he was the runaway choice of the party’s grassroots.
He too has played his part in Ireland’s success to date on Brexit, but the failure to get the Northern Assembly up and running is a cause for concern.
Dogged and diligent, if at times aloof from even his own colleagues, his elevation to Tánaiste was widely welcomed.
RATING: 7/10
The undoubted intellectual powerhouse of the Government who has cemented his position at the heart of Cabinet.
Backed Varadkar in the leadership; delivered a public sector pay deal; as well as his first solo budget with a steady hand.
Some felt he should have been stronger with the banks on the tracker mortgage scandal but he says the stick of sanctions remains in reserve.
RATING: 8/10
Utterly reliable as a steady pair of hands, Bruton is the Mr Sensible in Cabinet — even if on the unremarkable side.
Has in recent days come in for flak as it emerged that more than 200 disadvantaged schools which were identified as needing extra support were not included in the Government’s scheme to support pupils from deprived backgrounds.
Also, reform of school curriculum remains elusive due to pressure from teacher unions.
RATING: 4/10
Our wooden spoon recipient this year for a man who is damn lucky to still be in his job.
His botched handling of questions from Alan Kelly precipitated the crisis which almost felled the Government and did fell Frances Fitzgerald.
Her resignation appeased the bloodlust in Fianna Fáil, which saved Flanagan’s backside, but his grovelling mea culpa in the Dáil was a signal of how badly he handled himself.
The repeated circulation of misinformation to the Taoiseach and the clear dysfunctionality with his department means Flanagan has been under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Must do better if he is to survive.
RATING: 2/10
Varadkar’s campaign manager and promoted to Cabinet as a result.
Yet, in a strange move, he was handed the poisoned post of Housing, which also includes Irish Water — and both issues have bedevilled his tenure so far.
No lack of effort from a very astute operator, and the handling of refunds from Irish Water has largely been a success, but overall the numbers have gone against him.
Homelessness continues to rise, despite countless launches and programmes. Needs to get on top of the situation if his reputation is not to be tarnished.
RATING: 4/10
Recently succeeded Fitzgerald in the Department.
After a shaky start as Cabinet minister in 2014, her confidence has grown. Too early to say if she has what it takes to meet the demands of her big brief.
RATING: 4/10
No doubt endured an edgy few weeks, having been the only senior minister to back Coveney in the leadership bid.
But has taken to Health with an energy and determination in the 18 months or so in the department.
With a record budget, the room for excuses from him and health bosses is limited.
Some progress on waiting lists, new hospitals are being built and Slaintecare is underway.
RATING: 6/10
Fought hard and won extra funding for post offices which stands out as a big victory for Naughten.
He also took an unpopular stance on the abolition of flat fees for bin charges, for environmental reasons.
This years also saw the delivery of the mitigation plan — the first ever dedicated Cabinet meeting on
climate change — plus some progress on broadband.
RATING: 6/10
The bête noir for the Opposition and for many in the media. Ross has been lambasted for his failures to do his job and for concentrating on matters in other areas like judicial reform.
However, such criticism is unfair. His judicial reform is transformative, reflected in the hostility it drew from our learned friends in the Four Courts. His drink- driving legislation was also significant.
RATING: 7/10
Outspoken and fiery, Doherty’s elevation into the full Cabinet was not unexpected. Was accused of causing confusion after she claimed that the Public Services Card was “mandatory” but “not compulsory”.
Also suffered an embarrassing slap-down from Donohoe when she claimed the anomaly relating to thousands of women getting lower pensions because of career breaks would be sorted this year, only to climb down and say it would be next October before anything could be done.
RATING: 4/10
Solid, steady and quiet, Creed is an unlikely success story in Varadkar’s Cabinet. Has managed the agriculture element of Brexit with a calm hand.
Suffered the recent loss of his father, Donal, in late November, but was back at his post a few short days later.
RATING: 5/10
Has had a tricky start to his Cabinet life, waiting for his department to get up and running.
Such delays have led to some unhappiness from Ring who let rip on the morning of the Budget over his small allocation. Such difficulties have allowed his opponents to describe him as a “token minister for the West”.
Unfortunately, such criticisms have the ring of truth about them.
RATING: 4/10
A sad year for Zappone who lost her wife Ann Louise Gilligan in June, which meant she was absent from the Dáil on the day the new Government was formed.
Showed steel earlier in the year when she insisted that former Taoiseach Enda Kenny correct the record of the Dail over the Maurice McCabe Tusla scandal. His “mea culpa” ultimately led to his downfall.
RATING: 5/10
Only in the job a ‘wet week’, so not able to rate her. Since becoming a TD has shown great promise and it was significant that she seconded Varadkar’s nomination as Taoiseach in the Dáil.
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