ALL’S CHANGED, changed utterly in the 31st Dáil: not just the transfiguration of seats, the change of government after 14 years with a historically high majority; the delegation of Fianna Fáil to the small, but biggest, Opposition party; the size of Sinn Féin with Gerry Adams as leader; the absence of the Green Party; and the variety and number of assorted Independents of every hue and interest. We witnessed a day of unprecedented change in our elected representatives in Dáil Éireann, in our parliamentary system and our process of government.
The election of the Fine Gael/Labour Party Government reflects the importance of economic development and fiscal and administrative reforms. Five senior Ministers will be directly involved under the umbrella of an Economic Council chaired by Taoiseach Enda Kenny. It is a good idea to have a type of “war cabinet” to cement the agenda facing the new Government.
Michael Noonan will take over at Finance while Labour’s Brendan Howlin will shadow him in the newly created Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Richard Bruton has been given Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore will promote trade at Foreign Affairs.
The creation of employment and the introduction of extensive reforms in health and public service are likely to become the benchmarks by which this Government is judged. James Reilly has been put in charge of the health services where both parties are committed to the establishment of a unified system. The difficulties involved in transforming existing structures and practices will be enormous and confrontation with vested interests is practically guaranteed. Elsewhere, Frances Fitzgerald will bring forward a referendum on children’s rights while Leo Varadkar is expected to shake up monopolies in public transport. The amalgamation of local government structures and services falls to Phil Hogan while Ruairí Quinn, who has campaigned for basic literacy levels, will take charge of Education.
The Cabinet’s profile, however, is largely of older politicans from Fine Gael and Labour. That is understandable. The big names have waited in the wilderness for 14 years, some with cabinet experience, the stalwarts of their parties, and this is their day. What is disappointing is the lack of women’s representation.
Mr Kenny’s commitment to reshuffle Fine Gael members of his Cabinet in two years may help to mollify some veteran backbenchers and encourage new TDs to display their talents. By extension, it will exert pressure on Mr Gilmore to review Labour Party appointments.
The new Taoiseach, Mr Kenny started well by invoking common purpose in confronting economic difficulties and by raising expectations of a “bright new day” if interest groups pulled together. With an unprecedented four-to-one Dáil majority favouring his appointment, he praised his Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael predecessors and held out the prospect of living in “the best small country in the world” in five years time. The new Government will not be awarded a honeymoon. The weight of public expectation lies upon them.