Taoiseach’s options - Greens have missed their big chance

AS the week’s seemingly irreversible choreography unfolds it appears certain that Bertie Ahern will be elected taoiseach for the third time on Thursday; the only doubts surround the names he will be able to, or wish to, include on his dance card.

The support of the greatly reduced Progressive Democrats is assured so anyone who voted for change in our health system must prepare themselves for the prospect of Health Minister Mary Harney resuming her jihad for reform, co-location and new consultants’ contracts.

Given Ms Harney’s oft-stated enthusiasm for the challenge and the imaginable reluctance of any senior Fianna Fáil figure to involve themselves in subduing “Angola” her position seems assured. That is most certainly not the case for a number of her cabinet colleagues, some of whom may face the prospect of a post-election clear-out with some well-founded trepidation.