TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has said that his decision to drop seven of the 20 Ministers of States while promoting two Fianna Fáil TDs from the backbenches reflected the fact that the Government was giving a lead in making sacrifices and reducing cost.
The ministers who have not been reappointed to the reduced second-tier ministerial ranks of 15 are: Noel Ahern (Dublin North West); Seán Power (Kildare South); Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North); Mary Wallace (Meath East); Michael Kitt (Galway East); Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim) and John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny).
Two backbench TDs have been promoted to fill the two vacancies: Áine Brady (Kildare North) and Dara Calleary (Mayo) .
Mr Cowen said that the reduced number of Ministers of State would mean an amalgamation of some responsibilities. “This will result in a more slimlined and efficient allocation of responsibilities,” he said.
The published list of responsibilities for the Ministers of State made no mention of drugs strategy. However, John Curran confirmed last night he has retained that responsibility, as well as assuming the role of Minster of State for Integration.
The least expected of the demotions was that of Mr McGuinness, the minister of state for trade and commerce who was not thought to be among the most vulnerable of the Ministers of State. He was regarded by colleagues as an energetic and efficient.
However, he did face internal criticism over his strident criticism of the public service’s remuneration and productivity. He also criticised Mr Cowen and Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan during an interview with a local radio station in Kilkenny but said that the extracts that were widely played were taken out of context.
Ms Brady and Mr Calleary were among a small group of TDs who were widely tipped for promotion. The appointment of Ms Brady will soften the blow for the Kitt family – she is a sister of Michael Kitt, who was dropped yesterday, and also of Tom Kitt, who lost the post as Government chief whip when Mr Cowen became Taoiseach. It will also ensure that there is still a Minister of State in Kildare, following the dropping of Mr Power.
Mr Calleary, like Ms Brady, is a first-time TD, elected in 2007. The Ballina-based deputy, at 35, becomes the youngest member of the wider Government. Geographically, his elevation will ensure continuity of representation for the west of Ireland. Both Michael Kitt and Mr Devins represented western constituencies. Minister of State for Housing Michael Finneran is based in Roscommon.
Ms Brady said yesterday she was absolutely delighted with her appointment. She said her brothers had both congratulated her.
“The Taoiseach pointed out that it was nothing to do with the fact he was replacing Michael with me. He was appointing people on their own merits,” she said.
Her brother, Michael Kitt, said his demotion was very disappointing. He said he was also disappointed that the Taoiseach had not told him during their conversation that his sister had been appointed to another department.
“It’s a bit like in [parish] football, when you know you are substituting one family member with another, it is not too bad,” he said.
Likewise, Máire Hoctor said she told Mr Cowen that she was very disappointed at being dropped.
“I said I accept the decision but you know that this is not easy to take either. He understood that. It was a short observation.”
She said that it had not been easy for her to represent the Government in the face of anger among older people at the loss of the medical cards for over-70s.
Mr Calleary said he was shocked when the Taoiseach rang him yesterday.
He said he was in Ballina when he heard the news yesterday morning and immediately started travelling to Dublin.
He said that his previous job for Chambers Ireland and his experience as a TD based in Ballina, which has a lot of unemployment issues, would stand him in good stead for his new role as Minister of State for Labour Affairs.
Mary Wallace said she was not disappointed and that the Taoiseach had made the right decision to reduce the number of junior ministers.
“From my own point of view, I can say that I have no complaints today. I have been very fortunate having been a junior minister,” she said.
John McGuinness said he did not think that his sometimes controversial comments had any bearing on Mr Cowen’s decision. “It was a simple matter that somebody had to lose out. There’s room for all kinds of views in Irish politics. The new modern politics has to be about speaking your mind and trying to formulate new thinking and encouraging change,” he said.
For his part, Jimmy Devins also expressed disappointment on a personal level. “Politics is a tough business. Obviously it is going to make a difference as a backbencher,” he said. Neither Seán Power nor Noel Ahern were available for comment.