Penrose resignation - Honeymoon is well and truly over

IRISH politicians seldom resign. So, Willie Penrose TD will be applauded up and down the country for having the courage of his convictions to step down as Minister of State for Housing over the Government decision to close Columb Barracks in Mullingar.

With notable exceptions, TDs and senators have been notoriously reluctant either to resign for a cause or fall on their sword over wrongdoing.

Ironically, both Mr Penrose and the Government were on a cleft stick in the Mullingar affair. Given his implacable opposition to the barracks closure, he could not back off. Nor could the administration modify its decision to close it down because a concession would prompt demands for compromise in Clonmel, Cavan or wherever a barracks comes under the axe.

At a much deeper level, the resignation is a serious setback for the Fine Gael-Labour coalition, weeks before the most stringent budget in the history of the state. If the Government can’t sell crucial aspects of the hairshirt package to its own members, what chance have they of selling it to a beleaguered public?

The honeymoon is well and truly over.