How does the government alocate positions?

Eru

Looking around the government and who is who. How the hell do you get these positions within government? Is there no criteria for selection or background required?

We have a minister for health that studied History, worked briefly as a teacher then spent her entire actual career sitting in Dail Eireann without actually working in any private or public sectors.

Our Minister for Justice studied law but while he may have worked as a solicitor he went into politics at the age of 24 so couldnt have that much experience considering he would have done 4 years in college (21 or 22 graduating at best) followed by being a dogs body for a while. He may have legal knowledge but his knowledge and experience in policing and the actual justice system is minimal to say the least. perhaps more worrying, he was in charge of the Marine and environment, social welfare and foreign affairs before. What knowledge or experience has led anyone to think he was qualified in these sectors?

Then we look at Willie O'Dea. In charge of defence we have a qualified accountant ffs! Oh and a solicitor, in fact he has a higher legal education than Ahern.

Mary Couoghlan is actually in a spot that she knows. She is qualified and worked as a social worker (and she is actually married to a mule) but again, why was she given agriculture and employment earlier?

Brian Lenihen, Legal background with a good CV it has to be said, for the Justice post so why in these dark times do we have a solicitor getting 'promoted' to the department of finance? He has absolutely no training or experience in this sector!!!!

And the big man, Brian Cowen. Long history in the bar trade (shock horror) with his father owning a bar which his brother is now running (note, brother was caught for tax evasion while Brian Cowen was Minister for Finance). Studied law and in particular worked in he business side of things. Again, what knowledge has he got to be in charge of health and education? Finance? Nope, nothing on the cv suggesting an ability for these areas but worse of all. Hes the countries leader!!

Why are we ****ed? because dail Eireann appears to nominate ministers based on a ****ing lucky dip! Is there not a single TD with a medical background? Anyone with an indepth knowledge of the justice system? No accountants who actually know about finances?

kerry4sam

In short:
If a certain person within the party wants to run for a position then they will speak to a select few people in the party; guage reactions etc & finally rally up enough votes/support to put off any one else who wishes to run for said position. This basicly means that anyone can run for any position that they would like and provided they have the votes & support within the party whether they have the experience / expertise or not – votes being votes – they will get the position ... resulting in people being in positions that they have to become accustomed to & learn on the job , as opposed to already being experienced in and able to hit the ground running.

Right or wrong – that’s party politics in short

Paulzx

Cabinet positions are allocated based on a geographical spread. Ability seems to be irrelevant. The concept of parish pump politics is alive and well in Ireland and extends all the way to ministerial level.

For example, the good voters of Waterford can sleep sound in their beds knowing they have representation at the cabinet table in the form of that colosass of intellect Mr. Martin Cullen. Short of headbutting the Taoiseach live on tv he will be kept in Cabinet no matter how many departments he f**cks up in as he's a huge vote getter.

Any taoiseach is primarly interested in keeping voters in as many constituincies happy that they have their minister in goverment.

Its a bull**** way to run a country but hey that's politics:(

Esel

Dr Michael Woods was Minister for Health though. He's a Doctor of Tomatoes btw.

Seriously though - isn't this thread more suitable to the Politics forum?

conlonbmw

Eru wrote: »

Looking around the government and who is who. How the hell do you get these positions within government? Is there no criteria for selection or background required?

Brilliant post.

The civil service is run exactly the same way.

I joined civil service after living abroad for 12 years. I had 7 years experience in IT as an engineer.

I ended up in getting placed in a non IT role.

Imcompetence and duplication is the government way.

Why the f*ck should anyone need consultants if you have a staff of 350,000 working for you.

In my opinion

Eru wrote: »

Looking around the government and who is who. How the hell do you get these positions within government? Is there no criteria for selection or background required?

We have a minister for health that studied History, worked briefly as a teacher then spent her entire actual career sitting in Dail Eireann without actually working in any private or public sectors.

Our Minister for Justice studied law but while he may have worked as a solicitor he went into politics at the age of 24 so couldnt have that much experience considering he would have done 4 years in college (21 or 22 graduating at best) followed by being a dogs body for a while. He may have legal knowledge but his knowledge and experience in policing and the actual justice system is minimal to say the least. perhaps more worrying, he was in charge of the Marine and environment, social welfare and foreign affairs before. What knowledge or experience has led anyone to think he was qualified in these sectors?

Then we look at Willie O'Dea. In charge of defence we have a qualified accountant ffs! Oh and a solicitor, in fact he has a higher legal education than Ahern.

Mary Couoghlan is actually in a spot that she knows. She is qualified and worked as a social worker (and she is actually married to a mule) but again, why was she given agriculture and employment earlier? Bull, she is in Enterprise trade and employment. Social workers are no great shakes cause more probs than they solve I find. Good minister for agriculture

Brian Lenihen, Legal background with a good CV it has to be said, for the Justice post so why in these dark times do we have a solicitor getting 'promoted' to the department of finance? He has absolutely no training or experience in this sector!!!!

And the big man, Brian Cowen. Long history in the bar trade (shock horror) with his father owning a bar which his brother is now running (note, brother was caught for tax evasion while Brian Cowen was Minister for Finance). Studied law and in particular worked in he business side of things. Again, what knowledge has he got to be in charge of health and education? Finance? Nope, nothing on the cv suggesting an ability for these areas but worse of all. Hes the countries leader!!

Why are we ****ed? because dail Eireann appears to nominate ministers based on a ****ing lucky dip! Is there not a single TD with a medical background? Anyone with an indepth knowledge of the justice system? No accountants who actually know about finances?

One of the worst Ministers for Justice was Sean Doherty he was an Ex Garda. One of the best was Des O Malley a solicitor I think. One of the best Ministers of Education was Mary Hanafin an ex teacher. One of the worst Batt O Keeffe a 3rd level lecturer of some sort. One of the best Ministers of Finance was Ray Mac Sharry no financial training!

Qualifications are only one thing. Experience the same. Ability to work as part of cabinet another. Maybe we should look at health through eyes of a user rather than eyes of a provider? What is the role of the aireacht? Is it not to advise?