Apart from a cruel streak, it is hard to follow Bertie’s promotions policy

THIS week has yet again confirmed that one is on a fool’s errand when seeking to penetrate the political mind of our Taoiseach. Yet again he has confounded all in his choice for political promotion.

Mary Wallace TD is a determined and effective political operator. I felt she was badly treated when she was demoted after the 2002 election. She had been Minister of State at the Department of Justice for the previous five years with responsibility for the equality brief.

The reason suggested by some for her demotion was the controversy surrounding the first version of the Disability Bill which ultimately had to be withdrawn.