Rejuvenating Ireland - Like banks, faith must be rebuilt

WHEN St Brendan, one of the great figures of early Irish monasticism, left Kerry’s Brandon Creek in the early years of the fifth century on his seven-year voyage to try to discover Paradise, he must have had many supporters who wished him nothing but the very best though they did not have any great comprehension of where he was going, why he was going or what he might discover.

They may not have had any idea of how vulnerable he and his crew were in their vessels of hides, light timbers and hand-woven sails. Yet, they wished him fair winds.

In so many ways Finance Minister Brian Lenihan might be considered a St Brendan. His ambitions are draped in complexities and terrible uncertainties. He faces known and unknown dangers and he must make great decisions without the benefit of precedent to guide him. He is constantly offered passionate advice, much if it contradictory, and yet he must embrace the unknown if he is to have the success we all need.