Cowen must throw caution to the wind and shake out his cabinet

THE Taoiseach returns today from Washington. At the top of his in-tray is next Tuesday’s ministerial reshuffle. This represents his last chance to refresh his Government.

The revised team will be his first fifteen to defend the next general election.

Unlike Declan Kidney, he is not spoiled for choice or on a winning sequence. Many ministers are not just in their jobs since the last election in 2007, but in cabinet since 1997. Thirteen years of attrition in a frontline ministry would leave anyone looking tired and jaded.