Department of Finance in desperate need of operation transformation

ON the eve of an EU summit, where a draft new treaty emerges, expect a return of the “no alternative” brigade.

Main cheerleaders? Department of Finance and its boss, Kevin Cardiff. European Parliament budgetary control committee’s rejection of his nomination to the EU Court of Auditors masks the underlying challenge of revamping this Department. Operation transformation is essential arising out of economic meltdown.

The cabinet cannot funk the process of his replacement as secretary-general. Irrespective of whether he gets the plum post in Luxembourg or not, a new external appointee must take the helm in Merrion Street. Electoral mandate for regime change must be honoured.