Pat Carey TD appointed as Minister of State

[Red Green Alliance]

ireland.com reported today (June 20 at 19:32) that, in addition to a couple of high profile sackings, three new Minister of State posts are to be created. Apparently Bertie Ahern is using this expanded team "to bring some of his critics into the fold".

The report went on to say that "Dublin TD Pat Carey [was] at the forefront of a minor backbench rebellion during the last government."

Pat Carey has now been put in charge of the National Drugs Strategy.

Can anyone comment knowledgeably on what Pat Carey is likely to bring to the Drugs Strategy & Community Affairs?

What relevance, if any, might the 'back into the fold' aspect of his appointment have with regard to this particular portfolio?

[David Cochrane]

P.ie was talking about this almost 2 hours earlier.

Don't just get your views here, get your news here too!

[Red Green Alliance]

Fairy nuff. Not easy for a p.ie newbie to keep up with so many fast-moving threads though.

So how and where do I find the relevant thread?

[David Cochrane]

On the HOMEPAGE.

[Red Green Alliance]

Hmmm, must scan the homepage more frequently.

OK now. Seen it, read it.

So people seem very positive about Pat Carey's appointment and about his general qualities as a gentleman, parliamentarian and social democrat.

I'd like to hear more about what he is likely to bring to the Drugs Strategy & Community Affairs though. Any previous experience in this field? Any track record in his Dublin constituency? Any contributions in the Dail?

[David Cochrane]

And why has this been posted under Culture and Community?

Seriously!?!?!?

Moving it to Health.

[Insider2007]

I am delighted for Pat. He is someone who actually has the ability to be a good minister. Personally I think it a disgrace that he was not appointed before now, while non-entities.

Interestingly, I have never come across anyone, in any party, with a bad thing to say about Pat. Far from it. You would be amazed at the number of people on all sides who thought a seat was going to be lost and were saying "I hope it isn't Pat's". He is genuinely respected and a gentleman.

[Red Green Alliance]

And why has this been posted under Culture and Community?

Seriously!?!?!?

Moving it to Health.

You de bass. What can I do about that from here?

But I can tell you exactly why I posted in that section.

Because in the p.ie Forum, under the Topical Discussion heading, the first item is Culture & Community: Arts, sport, community and rural affairs.

It so happens that the National Drugs Strategy is handled by the Dept. of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs.

Not Health, which might seem appropriate to some.

It appeared to me that (at least some of) the Forum sections broadly corresponded to Govt. departments. But shur, you'll have that.

[Red Green Alliance]

Wow, this thread really set the cat among the pigeons/the world on fire/tongues wagging/etc...