ALAN DUKES is no stranger to complex briefs, but it is a safe bet that reading will occupy plenty of his time as he attempts to get to grips with his dew portfolio. Transport, Energy and Communications is one of the largest departments of Government, spanning semi state companies from CIE and Telecom Eireann to issues such as mining and exploration.
The 51 year old former Finance, Agriculture and Justice minister will find his experience of former portfolios an immense advantage in his new post. His love of Europe and knowledge of how the EU works, will be useful tools as he steers the semi States into increasingly liberalised global markets.
Much of his time will be spent carrying on the work of his predecessor Michael Lowry. This will include the implementation of changes in the way Telecom operates and its strategic alliance with KPN/Telia; overseeing a massive investment programme at CIE and helping Aer Lingus pilot a restructuring plan.
This week, as controversy raged over the circumstances surrounding Mr Lowry's ministerial resignation there were renewed calls for a re examination of the award of the second mobile phone licence to Esat Digifone.
However, Mr Dukes told The Irish Times that at the time it had seemed to him the whole process was above board. Mr Dukes referred to the press conference held by the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications at which the Department had taken the "unusual step" of getting Mr John Loughrey, the Department Secretary, to explain the selection process.
Mr Dukes says there was "a fair bit of hype surrounding the process" but it seemed to him to have been dealt with in a "scrupulously fair" manner. "I am not going to go pick and unpick previous decisions.
Mr Dukes says it will take time to read himself into his brief. His interest in the development of transport will serve him well with plenty of issues to keep him busy. He sees transport as a key component to developing the economy.
Mr Dukes has an open mind on the issue of whether the LUAS should go underground and he will be helping Ireland press its case for structural funding for a Ballymun line to be constructed between 1999 and 2003. Ireland's eligibility for structural funding after 1999 is seriously in doubt. Mr Dukes' negotiating skills and deep knowledge of Europe will no doubt serve him well in these debates.
Another pressing issue will be the implementation of CIE's £44 million cost cutting plan as well as investment programmes of £600 million over the next five years. The plan, which includes proposals to shed 800 jobs, has resulted in a threatened strike by workers.
CIE has been seeking savings across the board in all its subsidiaries. The transport company lost around £30 million last year, despite the annual Government subvention of £100 million.
Mr Dukes will also have to ensure Aer Lingus manages to refocus activities and implement its business plan to cope with ever increasing competition from lower cost operators. Although last year it recorded group profits of more than £50 million, its chairman Mr Gary McGann pointed out that the balance sheet remains weak and profits were modest for a group of its size.
An economist by training, Alan Dukes once said that Finance was the best period of his political life. "It is the most fascinating portfolio to have," he said, "matched only by Foreign Affairs".
Mr Dukes was chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs - appointed by John Bruton. He was also a member of the cabinet of the European Commissioner Mr Richard Burke and was once Fine Gael's environment spokesman.
"He will be a great addition at EU level," says one former colleague. "He is a superb administrator and is very personable," says the source, who admits that "some people don't have that point of view".
His EU experience will also prove useful when arguing against the proposed abolition of duty free in 1999. Duty free is an important component of Aer Rianta's annual profits. However, the state owned airports operator has been severely criticised - notably by Ryanair - over the cost of its landing charges.
Former minister, Mr Lowry had recently asked Aer Rianta to examine whether it could further reduce landing charges and had emphasised that the company would have to prepare for the abolition of duty free.
"Michael Lowry emphasised that the semi states would have to focus on the commercial aspects of the business and tried to ensure that they did this," says one source, adding that Mr Dukes is likely to do the same.
Mr Dukes has been accused of being somewhat cold and aloof. "He can be very argumentative and combative, it's one of the problems he had in the past," says a Fine Gael colleague. "He fights to the finish."
One source said these traits had been tempered greatly over the years, while another, who worked with him previously in Finance said he never found Mr Dukes to be difficult. "He was very easy to work with, extremely bright, with great analytical ability," says the source.
In an interview earlier this year, Mr Dukes said he enjoyed "a reasonably good relationship" with Taoiseach John Bruton, the man who succeeded him, when he was ousted as Fine Gael leader.
Political observers wonder how the two will work together, and more importantly how he will work with Tanaiste Dick Spring.
Mr Dukes does not foresee any problems, saying this Government has by and large, been a good one. Decisions he has disagreed with, such as the approach on abolishing third level fees, have been well documented, he says.
For now, the former Fine Gael leader has six or possibly 10 months to put a firm stamp on a sprawling, complex and often controversial portfolio.
