Charlie Flanagan: Determined to leave a legacy of his own
WHEN Charlie Flanagan took office as Foreign Affairs Minister in July last year, he faced two immediate challenges and was forced to hit the ground running, taking on a brand new brief after his move from the Department of Children.
The North’s peace talks on parades, flags and the past had collapsed; the Seanad was recalled over attacks on Gaza; there were calls for action on both fronts and Mr Flanagan was the designed minister left juggling the diplomatic nightmares as the rest of the Cabinet packed their bags for the summer and slipped away from Government buildings. It was a baptism of fire for the new minister, while he was only getting his feet under the table in Iveagh House.
