Dan O'Brien attacks recent Irish foreign policy record

[myk]

From today's Irish Times

Parochial political class has failed on foreign policy - The Irish Times - Tue, Aug 04, 2009

Ireland’s position in the EU is in grave danger – a position that owes much to the neglect of complacent politicians, writes DAN O'BRIEN
IN ARTICLES in recent weeks, Garret FitzGerald concluded that Ireland’s conduct of its foreign policy has been in stark contrast to its poor record of economic management. This conclusion is wrong. Just as in economic affairs, the foreign policy failings that were submerged under the high tide of prosperity are now re-emerging into view.

It is a great piece taking in criticism of the government on the various European referenda, committment to foreign aid and world trade talks. It also seeks to diagnose the source of these problems. I disagree with him in parts, but it is a very interesting read. Dan occasionally brings a line or two of dry wit to his pieces. I particularly like these lines in discussing the short comings of our recent ministers for foreign affairs.

What accounts for these failings? One must look first to the calibre of the country’s politicians in general, and foreign ministers in particular. The current Iveagh House incumbent is a school teacher. His four immediate predecessors were, respectively, a solicitor, a solicitor, a barrister and Ray Burke.

he goes on to say

None had any background in international relations or diplomacy. None had ever lived, worked or studied abroad. None had ever worked for a foreign company in Ireland. No other developed country entrusts its foreign relations to unqualified amateurs with no experience of the world.

[FutureTaoiseach]

He's wrong on negative consequences of another no vote, but he's spot on about how unqualified the folks in Leinster House (give or take a few exceptional figures like George Lee) are to run an economy or conduct foreign relations. In that context, he is at risk of undermining his own case though, as these are the geniuses that gave us the Lisbon Treaty in the first place.

[odie1kanobe]

What accounts for these failings? One must look first to the calibre of the country’s politicians in general, and foreign ministers in particular. The current Iveagh House incumbent is a school teacher. His four immediate predecessors were, respectively, a solicitor, a solicitor, a barrister and Ray Burke.
he goes on to say

None had any background in international relations or diplomacy. None had ever lived, worked or studied abroad. None had ever worked for a foreign company in Ireland. No other developed country entrusts its foreign relations to unqualified amateurs with no experience of the world.

Lets see our nearest neighbour

David Milliband - couple of years studying in US but never had a real job
Margaret Beckett - 2 years as student apprentice in 1966, no real job post this
Jack Straw - Barrister
Robin Cook - Teacher but politician for 25 years before Foreign Sec
Macolm Rifkind - Barrister
Douglas Hurd - Diplomat

In effect last qualified Foreign Sec in UK was Douglas Hurd and he left office in 1995.

[LDF]

He's wrong on negative consequences of another no vote, but he's spot on about how unqualified the folks in Leinster House (give or take a few exceptional figures like George Lee) are to run an economy or conduct foreign relations. In that context, he is at risk of undermining his own case though, as these are the geniuses that gave us the Lisbon Treaty in the first place.

Very good point.

[Horace Horse]

Who is Dan O'Brien and why should I spend brain cells on thinking about him?

[Migrant Dub]

Who is Dan O'Brien and why should I spend brain cells on thinking about him?

"Dan O’Brien is a senior editor at the Economist Intelligence Unit. This article is an edited extract from his forthcoming book, to be published by Gill Macmillan"

A mini-biog is at the bottom of the IT article.

[Libero]

Oh, dear Jesus.

It's this Dan O'Brien.

Before reading the piece below, also printed in the Irish Times, remember that today he's getting sniffy about the proposition "No other developed country entrusts its foreign relations to unqualified amateurs with no experience of the world... The most parochial and least cosmopolitan political class in western Europe has not been up to the task of conducting a strategically coherent foreign policy in the good times."

Read on...



But remember kids, it's other people - not Dan - who are prone to being parochial and failing to promote a strategically coherent foreign policy.

[Jock_the_Waster]

He is correct to call out our international sleevinism and cowardice, hiding under the skirt of our allies as we do.

[jmcc]

Oh, dear Jesus.

It's this Dan O'Brien.

Yes. The chap with a Deefer accent so bloody thick that I had to turn on the teletext subtitles.

Regards...jmcc

[myk]

Oh, dear Jesus.

It's this Dan O'Brien.

Before reading the piece below, also printed in the Irish Times, remember that today he's getting sniffy about the proposition "No other developed country entrusts its foreign relations to unqualified amateurs with no experience of the world... The most parochial and least cosmopolitan political class in western Europe has not been up to the task of conducting a strategically coherent foreign policy in the good times."

Read on...



But remember kids, it's other people - not Dan - who are prone to being parochial and failing to promote a strategically coherent foreign policy.

touche! i reckon you should write a letter to the Times to that effect!