1 senior and 3 juniors - could Cork have done any better ?

[Rebelman]

Of Cork's 9 government TDs one is now a full minister Michaél Martin and 3 are juniors - Billy Kelleher, Michael Aherne & Batt O'Keeffe. Is this as much as we could have hoped for or have we been sold short again considering the pivotal role we play in this country as a whole, what do you think folks ?

[Rebelman]

Good to see people are taking time to bring their thoughts together before responding to this thread.

We now have a full minister in CSC and juniors in CNW, CE & CNC leaving just CSW as the only Cork constituency without even a half car. As FF's only representative here is in his first Dáil term this is hardly surprising but up until recently CSW had a full minister so should this be a cause for concern for the good people of South and West Cork.

[locke]

On population levels, you'd expect Cork to have two full ministers, but looking at the government TDs from Cork, it's easy to see why there aren't. Maybe Billy Kelleher could make it one day or Michael McGrath in the longer term (although not when Micheal Martin is still around), but Ned O'Keeffe, Michael Ahern, Batt O'Keeffe, Michael Moynihan, Noel O'Flynn and Christy O'Sullivan are not names that will ever be seen round the cabinet table.

[geraghd]

Of Cork's 9 government TDs one is now a full minister Michaél Martin and 3 are juniors - Billy Kelleher, Michael Aherne & Batt O'Keeffe. Is this as much as we could have hoped for or have we been sold short again considering the pivotal role we play in this country as a whole, what do you think folks ?

I think it should be based on merit rather than narrow geographical concerns.

[Rebelman]

On population levels, you'd expect Cork to have two full ministers, but looking at the government TDs from Cork, it's easy to see why there aren't. Maybe Billy Kelleher could make it one day or Michael McGrath in the longer term (although not when Micheal Martin is still around), but Ned O'Keeffe, Michael Ahern, Batt O'Keeffe, Michael Moynihan, Noel O'Flynn and Christy O'Sullivan are not names that will ever be seen round the cabinet table.

I disagree with your last point there Locke with the exception of Ned who has burned too many bridges at this stage and possibly Noel for similar reasons any of the others are capable of a call up especially if FF continue in power post the next election.

[locke]

I think it should be based on merit rather than narrow geographical concerns.

Should. But with the way ministers pour money into their home constituencies, it's never going to work out like that.

[Dr Jimbo]

considering the pivotal role we play in this country as a whole

Hilarious. Mind you, I'd make RK a minister anyday.

[locke]

On population levels, you'd expect Cork to have two full ministers, but looking at the government TDs from Cork, it's easy to see why there aren't. Maybe Billy Kelleher could make it one day or Michael McGrath in the longer term (although not when Micheal Martin is still around), but Ned O'Keeffe, Michael Ahern, Batt O'Keeffe, Michael Moynihan, Noel O'Flynn and Christy O'Sullivan are not names that will ever be seen round the cabinet table.

I disagree with your last point there Locke with the exception of Ned who has burned too many bridges at this stage and possibly Noel for similar reasons any of the others are capable of a call up especially if FF continue in power post the next election.

Michael Ahern is 58. Batt O'Keeffe is 62. They've been TDs for a good while too, so if they were to be cabinet ministers, it would have happened by now.

Christy O'Sullivan is 59 and while a new TD is too old to build up to ministerial profile.

With Michael Moynihan, I can't see the talent.

[Rebel CNC]

To be honest Rebelman, with the exceptions of Martin, McGrath and possibly Kelleher, the Cork FF tds are quite happy to keep things ticking over at a local level and don't have the ambition or talent to rise to cabinet level. Unless the cards fall kindly for Martin in next five years or so, his star will begin to wane, allowing McGrath to step up.
Probably even worse for FG, Coveney is their star down here and he was badly exposed in the last campaign. I can't see either of their two young whipper-snappers from SW rising to the top either!!!

[locke]

While it's hardly relevant at the moment, the only real Fine Gael talent is Michael Creed. If Clune could improve her communications, she probably has the other attributes required, but she has a lot of work to do there.