Cowen needs to prove — and fast — that he is a true ‘Daddy’ figure

IN THEORY, after the past week or so, Brian Lenihan should be in a corner, wearing a dunce’s cap. But Brian Lenihan may have a touch of Bertie’s Teflon, because, for some reason, he hasn’t attracted the worst of the odium.

People seem willing to smack him aside as having been put in the job by the Taoiseach, who therefore carries the can. Or maybe it’s because of his good track record as Minister for Justice. Or perhaps because he has stayed so earnestly civil, under daily attack.

It doesn’t matter. It’s Brian Cowen who’s attracting the odium and carrying the can.