Cabinet Reshuffle 'Botch Job', Says FG

The main opposition party in the Daíl has called yesterday's reshuffle a "botch job" for it's failure to appoint a Minister for Employment.

Yesterday, Brian Cowen announced the details of his reshuffle, which came after two former ministers were forced to resign.

Six Government ministers were given new roles in the Cabinet with the Taoiseach promoting two junior ministers and moving four current Ministers to different departments.

Five Government departments were also reconfigured with the Taoiseach saying the changes were designed to support the core objectives of economic recovery, job creation and support for those who have lost their jobs.

However, Fine Gael Enterprise, Trade and Employment Spokesperson Leo Varadkar TD, speaking in the Dáil debate on the reshuffle this afternoon, accused the Government of forgetting about jobs and described the reshuffle as a ‘botch job’.

“Cowen has abolished the Department of Employment. No Government Department now has employment or jobs in its title when the country is facing the worst unemployment crisis in a generation. He could have combined all employment functions including benefits paid to adults of working age to a new department of employment and benefits.

“This reshuffle is a total botch job. Responsibility for FÁS has been divided among three Departments – Enterprise, Trade & Innovation, Social Protection and Education & Skills. The troubled agency will be overseen by three Ministers who will inevitably pass the buck from one to the other."

Mr Cowen's reappointments also came in for criticism from the Labour Party who claimed it was beyond comprehension why former Health Minister Mary Harney still held office as a member of the Government and as Minister for Health.

Labour Spokeswoman on Health Jan O'Sullivan said: "Brian Cowen has today bottled it, and has missed an opportunity to begin the process of undoing some of the damage that Mary Harney has done as Minister for Health.

"[Mary Harney] presides over a Health Service Executive that is bedevilled by scandals, screw-ups and covers cover-ups, and which is staffed by people who, although among the best qualified anywhere, are demoralised, disheartened and discouraged."

The other changes made by the Taoiseach include a controversial demotion for deputy leader and Tánaiste Mary Coughlan who was moved from Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the Department of Education.

Minister Batt O'Keeffe moved from Education to the new Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, formerly known as Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Minister Eamon O'Cuiv was moved from the Department of Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to the newly-created Department of Social Inclusion and Family Policy (formerly known as Dept of Social and Family Affairs).

Minister Mary Hanafin moved from the Department of Social and Family Affairs to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.

Junior Minister Pat Carey was promoted to the new Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs - formerly the Department of Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The reshuffle also included several promotions, with Junior Minister Tony Killeen winning promotion to the Department of Defence, Green Party TDs Ciaran Cuffe and Mary White were promoted to Junior Ministries and Fianna Fáil TD Sean Connick was also promoted to a Junior Ministry.

Drugs Minister John Curran was promoted to the position of Chief Whip.

(DW/BMcC)