Ahern’s new Cabinet shows usual caution, but has some surprises

BERTIE AHERN’S third attempt at Cabinet making was as contradictory as the Taoiseach himself.

The widespread switching of portfolios between ministers showed a dash of radicalism but the limited introduction of new personnel was consistent with his cautious approach.

It helped that when he sat down to select his new team he started with a couple of openings. He had two empty spaces thanks to the retirement of Joe Walsh and Charlie McCreevy’s move to Brussels. Somewhat inevitably he created a third by asking Michael Smith to step down. The movement of Charlie McCreevy to Brussels in particular was the most important pre-cursor to this Cabinet reshuffle. It was this more than anything else which gave him room to manoeuvre. The three new ministers are good choice and will add to the Government’s work rate.