A new Cabinet - Uninspiring rearguard action

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen’s new Cabinet could be described in a number of ways, few of them positive, fewer still inspiring. If you’re still a Fianna Fáil true believer it represents an imaginative use of resources that will get the country back on its feet in double quick time. It represents decisiveness and addresses the big issues of the day directly.

For the rest of us it is a holding position, a scrambling, rearguard action that may defer the seemingly inevitable but do nothing to avert it.

It is tempting to talk about White Star liners and beach furniture but we all needed something much more reassuring and uplifting than we got yesterday afternoon. Sadly, Mr Cowen did not provide it, he did not even hint at it. He did not even hint that he understood that it might be necessary.

The unnerving truth seems to be that he does not have individuals with either the talent or energy needed to rebuild this country at his disposal. Yesterday’s unveiling cannot be expected to do more than cause even more bewilderment and disappointment.

Indeed, and there’s no honour in pretending otherwise, it is deeply worrying that Mary Coughlan, whose ineffectiveness and lack of subtlety made her utterly unsuited to being Minister for Enterprise, has been moved to a Department that requires even more vision and sensitivity. There is no indication that she is even remotely capable of providing the leadership and ambition that our education system needs. She no more looks like the architect of a knowledge-based economy than she looks like the person who might lead the rejuvenation of our schools, colleges and universities. If she was not fit for Enterprise how, in God’s name, can she be fit for Education?

Once again party loyalty trumps integrity.

It is difficult too to see the achievements realised by Éamon O Cuív that make him fit to led the new Department of Social Protection. Equally it is very hard to see what he will offer that Mary Hanafin could not at least match.

It must be said that there is far more resignation than ambition reflected in the fact that Mary Harney, despite all the backbench mutterings, retains her ministry.

It must be acknowledged that the appointment of Dara Calleary, though he retains other responsibilities, to drive public sector reform is welcome. The appointment of a senior minister with no other responsibilities would, however, send a stronger message on this issue.

Mr Cowen said yesterday the “public office has never been more demanding”. If it is a lot of the difficulties are self inflicted. Sadly, yesterday’s rearranging of the palace guard, more Dads’ Army than elite forces though, will not make it any easier. Neither will it do much to restore the trust so badly absent from our affairs. All it does is show how jaded and uninspiring this group of careworn people have become.