FG's first year in Government....your opinions

galwayrush

Disappointing, but a massive improvement on the last shower.

kevmy85

To add my 2 cent on specific ministers:
FG ones first

Kenny - as expected steady, upbeat, good for stability of government to not have an egotist as Taoiseach. Still wooden in TV appearances but thats Enda

Noonan - probably one of the best. Seems on top of his brief and putting in the work, especially given the tough times he's had personnally

Bruton - disappointing. Expected a lot from him but he's not really cutting it. I know they've announced a lot of plans and job losses have tapered off but still not much overall

Reilly - I think he's doing ok. Turning around the HSE is like moving a battleship it'll take time. Thought he handled Roscommon hospital situation, Tallaght and HSE board issues well. We'll see on children's hospital and HSE retirements. Good to see someone there who wants to be in the job

Shatter - bit of a disaster. Done nothing on upward rents, fecked up one of the referendums and generally has an arrogant, know-it-all air about him.

Coveney - surprisingly one of the best. Farming is booming and he seemed to tailor budget cuts fairly smartly. Got a very good deal for the fishing community.

Varadker - meh. Still makes the odd off the wall comment which is needed but in a department probably not best suited to him.

Hogan - sceptic tank issue his main contribution so far. Constitutional convention/referendum his chance to make a proper mark, we'll see how that goes

Fitzgerald - hasn't done a tap as far as I can see. Still no childrens referendum and that seems to be all she has to do.

Deenihan - doing the ordinary in a nothing department.

Labour ones

Gilmore - a bit of speechifying every now and again but thats about it.

Quinn - mixed bag. Disappointed on his u-turn on college fees. Doing good work on separation of church from schools. Wrong on Deis cuts but reversed it. Right on closing some smaller schools but will it go through

Burton - probably the best of the Lab ministers. Knows the mood of the nation better than most and managed to keep most of the social welfare budget cuts non-controversial which is an achievement in itself

Rabbitte - very disappointing. One the guys I had higher expectations for but seems to have done very little.

Howlin - unsure on him really. Not enough on reform but seems to be managing the civil service redundancies/cuts quite well while keeping unions onside.

LordSutch

One year in and I think the Fine Gael/Labour coalition are streering a steady course in the aftermath of an economic catastrophy engineered by Fianna Fail. Enda Kenny has turned out to be a reassuring leader (albeit a bit wooden), but a safe pair of hands nonetheless, and he cuts a solid image for Ireland on the international stage. Economic green shoots are beginning to appear, and we are seen to be paying our bills and facing up to our financial responsibilities, good debts & bad debts alike, the bad debts being courtesy of the previous Fianna Fail Government and "their" bank guarantee/bond holder shambles.

Royal Legend

LordSutch wrote: »

One year in and I think the Fine Gael/Labour coalition are streering a steady course in the aftermath of an economic catastrophy engineered by Fianna Fail. Enda Kenny has turned out to be a reassuring leader (albeit a bit wooden), but a safe pair of hands nonetheless, and he cuts a solid image for Ireland on the international stage. Economic green shoots are beginning to appear, and we are seen to be paying our bills and facing up to our financial responsibilities, good debts & bad debts alike, the bad debts being courtesy of the previous Fianna Fail Government and "their" bank guarantee/bond holder shambles.

When's your Fine Gael renewal fee due?