Coughlan: patently and grossly unable

[Proposition Joe]

Dan O'Brien writing in today's Times.

"To set out the inadequacies of Mary Coughlan as Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment would be inappropriate and unhelpful. It suffices to say that at a time of national emergency, the patently and grossly unable, by their mere presence, should not be allowed to obstruct efforts to prevent outright meltdown."

Never a truer word was written.

O'Brien proposes Peter Sutherland as a replacement, via a Seanad nomination.

Similar savaging for Lenny:

"Brian Lenihan, by his errors and inaction, bears much of the responsibility for what has become the worst budgetary disaster in the history of the OECD. His credibility is too seriously damaged to be repaired. He has become part of the problem."

His proposed solution to that conundrum is odd to say the least: let the muck-savage-in-chief take on Finance in addition to his other responsibilities.

[kerrynorth]

But Mary can hold her drink and be as coarse as any fella. Isn't that qualification enough in FF?

[Proposition Joe]

And she can cuss like a sailor, maybe a move to the Dept of the Marine would be in order ...

[FakeViking]

And she can cuss like a sailor, maybe a move to the Dept of the Marine would be in order ...

Mammy O'Rourke said last week that she's 'growing into the job'.

[Clanrickard]

This woman is a glorified county councillor and should not let near the cabinet. There are Mary Coughlan's in every country but they clean public offices they don't hold them.

[jpc]

Another critique of sweary Marys ability, or lack of same.
Done to death at this point.
As for the two Brians.
I don't see anyone else in FF with any better ability unfortunately.
Richard Bruton and Ruari Quinn plus a few advisors might be a better bet in finance.

[flavirostris]

He's basically confirming what we've been saying on here for ages - she is a lightweight clown who's grossly out of her depth.
Even the FF'ers here do not defend her.

[Gadfly]

O'Brien proposes Peter Sutherland as a replacement, via a Seanad nomination.

Sutherland, bright chap, enormous competence, great CV. Is O'Brien part of a broader effort to consecrate him as our economic saviour?

Trouble is, Goldman Sachs did their bit in bringing about economic disaster. Can Sutherland walk away from the wreckage as if it had nothing to do with him? This would dovetail nicely with the present government's approach, but it looks dodgy in many ways. Kind of like suggesting the head of Bear Stearns to lead the US Treasury.

[KingKane]

Lads, much as I enjoy these threads, we have enough of them about Mary. By all means add to the existing one but please do not start yet more of them.