Enda Kenny to blame for Mary Mitchell O’Connor fury

Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor was harangued by party colleagues last Wednesday for what was considered a subpar presentation, but the Taoiseach is responsible for the appointment, writes Daniel McConnell

Junior minister Pat Breen TD took over after Mitchell O’Connor left a briefing early. Picture: Fennell PHotography

SINCE the crash of 2008, one or two ministers have tended to find themselves at the epicentre of a controversy after each year’s budget: then finance minister, Brian Lenihan, for his introduction of the universal social charge, in 2010; James Reilly, in health, in 2012; Alan Kelly, on Irish Water, last year. These are just a few.

This year, the budget had seemingly passed without any major flashpoint, aside from a few grumbles about the tone and tenor of Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone’s new childcare package. At 4pm on Wednesday, 27 hours after the delivery of the budget, Leinster House resembled a ghost town.