Fianna Fail circus heads for the knackers yard

Fianna Fáil seems to be travelling in a parallel trajectory to that of the Ulster Unionist Party and are as likely to end up in the same long-term predicament. Lapses in political judgement and common sense this week illustrate how dislocated FF has become from its centre of gravity, its duty accountability and responsibility and, even, its raison d'etre. 

The carry-on was reminiscent of a badly produced circus and a crass attempt at the crudest political expediency for which no price seems to be too much to pay. Do Brian Cowen and Mary Coughlan really think that voters are gormless fools who will tolerate well paid individuals walking away en masse from important roles before the job is complete, leaving the conduct of government like a ghost housing estate? Were those who fled really team players, or merely a collection of eccentrics, oblivious to the public interest but with an exclusive focus on suiting their own whims, personal priorities and preferences?  A master craftsman who starts a job is expected to finish that job – not hand it off to a novice apprentice.

Have there not been enough episodes of atrocious governance, both within and beyond the political system, not to have a situation arise where there was a major lacuna in the control of the most important departments of State - justice, health, enterprise and public transport? 

Fianna Fail could have made a case to the electorate on the grounds that much has been learned from their lousy economic policy judgement and atrocious leadership of the economy from 2003 to 2007 but, instead, this week’s events demonstrate the opposite with Brian Lenihan and Mary Hanafin talking from both sides of their political mouth about Brian Cowen as though he is a fig roll – ‘I like him as a biscuit, but not as a bar’!

Ireland has made no political progress or accomplished any greater maturity towards stability than was the position when Rody Molloy drove home from his chief executive’s office in his FAS owned car for the last time - with the blessing of the Department of Finance.

Poor John! Methinks he doth protest too much.

Former Minister of State, John McGuinness TD, following his departure from the wood-panelled office in Kildare St, has found his voice, even if it is somewhat scattered in its direction. He describes the discontent in the Fianna Fail parliamentary party, his perception of the shortcomings of his boss, Tanaiste Mary Coughlan TD and the absence of enterprise among those who served him faithfully, diligently and selflessly in the finest tradition of the public sector.

He has discovered a 'disconnect' between the paliamentary party and the leadership and considers that his former boss and her style of management not the best, in contrast to his own, no doubt. Poor John, an undiscovered jewel in the crown of greatness! I listened to a tabloid journalist on RTE radio describe John as having a 'high profile' but I was unclear as to the foundations of this, or upon what pantheon it was built. It has been said by many in a position to make an informed judgement that the footprint left by John's slippers across the universe, when he was a minister, were disappointing and not sufficiently enduring to mark this man out as one of the iconic economic architects of the State; a personality whose name is unlikely to become embedded as a trophy intellect in the economic history books of the future.

But,of course, he might choose to illuminate the nation's thinking, through his own fluent eloquence, as to what aspects of his contribution the nation should especially treasure, now that he as been deprived of half-car status.

John naturally feels an inevitable sense of disappointment but can the depths of this compare to the crushing disappointment and outrage of Bev Flynn whose ambition to great office has been thwarted by her younger pretender and most impressive constituency colleague, Dara Calleary? It doesn't take the comments of a tabloid journalist to realise that Dara is much admired. The unsolicited and spontaneous comments of his county men and women speak volumes in this regard. He beat the socks of Bev in the last election and the Taoiseach had to recognise this and establish a vanguard to compete against the Kenny-O'Mahony-Ring triumvirate next time out.

John romped into this Dail at the top of the poll in the 2007 general election and ensured that FF won 3 seats in Carlow Kilkenny. If he hasn't made his mark outside Kilkenny, he certainly has in Kilkenny! Methinks the man doth protest too much! The media will play with the sense of rejection that this man feels, like a poodle when its suits them. But he needs to sets his sights on higher objectives than merely being a self-pitying moron. Poor John!