Ahern says Cowen is 'uniquely qualified'

BRIAN COWEN is “uniquely” and “immensely well qualified” to take up the duties of Taoiseach, former taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil as he nominated his successor for the position.

The Dáil elected Mr Cowen as Taoiseach by 88 votes to 76.

Mr Ahern said Mr Cowen’s experience in various ministries “all equip him to undertake the obligations of office of Taoiseach with flair and capacity”. As a “most successful contributor to partnership government over recent years and as one who had an active role in the negotiation of the current programme for government, he is well placed to lead a Government that will enjoy the support, commitment and energy” of all involved in the coalition.

He is a “fair-minded and straight-talking participant in the social partnership process and has all the necessary skills to lead the process towards the next stage of development in line with the needs of our economy and society”.

Minister for the Environment and Green Party leader John Gormley, who seconded the nomination, said “the Brian Cowen I know is tough but fair minded, and gregarious, but thoughtful. He is relaxed but always focused on the task in hand. He knows the task he now faces as Taoiseach is onerous.”

Fine Gael deputy Richard Bruton who nominated party leader Enda Kenny criticised the Government for “letting down” so many people. “It is hollow to elevate the virtue of loyalty and ask us to persist along the same road. In the face of persistent refusal to recognise and make changes, loyalty is a much diminished virtue in my book.”

Lucinda Creighton (FG, Dublin-South East), who seconded the Fine Gael nomination, said: “Deputy Kenny’s calm and decisive leadership is a quality that the next taoiseach will badly need”.

Nominating Labour leader Éamon Gilmore, party deputy leader Joan Burton said “what the country is getting is a changing of the guard. What the country needs is a change of government.”

Michael D Higgins (Lab, Galway West), who seconded the Labour nomination, said that “many people will ask whether those who have squandered the times of surplus and its opportunities are the people who are best equipped to steer the country in times of scarcity”.

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin criticised the Government as “neither a partnership government nor a coalition in any real sense”.

Minister for Health Mary Harney said Mr Cowen “has great intelligence and abilities. He uses those abilities very much to play as part of a team, which has been his hallmark”.

She added that “he uses the ability he has been given to work for his community”. She said: “I have no doubt as captain of the team he will use his enormous ability for the benefit of the team.”