New Cabinet Announced

**S�C** · 14/05/2008, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Macy

Proves that Harneys Health Agenda is the FF Health Agenda. Centre Left me arse.

No balls to get rid of Cullen or O'Cuiv - no move to ability ahead of geography by Cowen either. Moving people around without changing personel isn't making decisions, it's just moving faded deckchairs.

Why would he get rid of � Cuiv? He's been very successful in his role and there is a general level of satisfaction with how he's done, with the odd issue such as Dingle coming up.

**Angus** · 14/05/2008, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by S�C

Why would he get rid of � Cuiv? He's been very successful in his role and there is a general level of satisfaction with how he's done, with the odd issue such as Dingle coming up.

...because it has nothing to do with ability, quality, achievements, intellect, popularity.

It is about 1 thing - making Cowens's position safer and stronger. The end.

**pete** · 14/05/2008, 2:26 PM

20 Junior Ministers appointed yesterday (5 newbies). Includes I believe 5 Junior Minsters in Health which is probably symptomatic of the bureaucracy in that area.

**mypost** · 14/05/2008, 2:43 PM

Fell asleep last night, watching him announce the naming of his junior minister in monotone. Has no hope of being re-elected as Taoiseach next time.

**TonyD** · 14/05/2008, 10:03 PM

Wouldn't bet on that. (And that's from someone who's never, ever voted Fianna Fail.)

**pete** · 14/05/2008, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

Fell asleep last night, watching him announce the naming of his junior minister in monotone. Has no hope of being re-elected as Taoiseach next time.

To put it bluntly Dubs won't vote for a bogger. 1/3 of seats in Dublin. Big change from having Bertie Dub as leader.

Cowan may be intelligent but his CV does not glow with achievements. I find he comes across aggressive when challenged which can be very of putting.

**Kingdom** · 15/05/2008, 8:26 AM

Originally Posted by pete

To put it bluntly Dubs won't vote for a bogger. 1/3 of seats in Dublin. Big change from having Bertie Dub as leader.

Cowan may be intelligent but his CV does not glow with achievements. I find he comes across aggressive when challenged which can be very of putting.

Yes that is very very noticeable. The women won't stand for that. I wonder though will him being a countryman stand to the party in the country constituencies?
As for John Moloney that he promoted, it was very much a case of promoting the local man. This guy barely got elected ahead of a 1st time contestant. I can't abide him tbh.

**pete** · 15/05/2008, 9:42 AM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

Yes that is very very noticeable. The women won't stand for that. I wonder though will him being a countryman stand to the party in the country constituencies?

While the remainder of the country is probably 2/3 of the votes Dublins sphere of influence (like the old soviets) stretches beyond its own borders. I think it might be fairer to suggest we have a 2:1 urban:country divide.

Offaly people seemed to think they had their own Taoiseach elected last week such was the way they celebrated.

**Kingdom** · 15/05/2008, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by pete

While the remainder of the country is probably 2/3 of the votes Dublins sphere of influence (like the old soviets) stretches beyond its own borders. I think it might be fairer to suggest we have a 2:1 urban:country divide.

Offaly people seemed to think they had their own Taoiseach elected last week such was the way they celebrated.

I've no problem with the first bit and there certainly is a buzz around the area so I agree with the 2nd bit. I'd imagine the Tullamore ring road will get fast tracked now which can only be a good thing. If there was an improvement in rail services that wouldn't be a bad thing either.