Cowen Watch - Our Trophy Taoiseach !?

Slideshowbob

It has struck me over the past few days that our beloved Taoiseach, Brian Cowen seems to be attending an increasingly inordinate number of mundane functions recently, given the economically challenging times we are in.

Today, he was at the announcement of 50 new jobs in Carlow. He was at some Irish music launch last week, and the FF commemoration on Sunday.

Also, today he seems to be merely acting as a sympathiser with the Quinn staff - having ''expressed concern'' at the situation, almost spokesman-like !! Why isn't he more involved with the nuts and bolts of this situation!?

Has he been demoted to a mere talk-piece, do we have to put this type of leadership for 2 years until the election?

Isn't the Taoiseach supposed to manage his cabinet and oversee matters during these tough economic times.

Couldn't certain ceremonies be left to our President or others?

I could go into even more gory detail but if you want a hint of what he does in his spare time just google "Brian Cowen singing"

Floppybits

Its clear that Brian Cowen is a lame duck Taoiseach and is barely hold his party together never mind the government.

Time for the man to fall on his sword call an election put forth what he intends to do for fix the country and let the people of the country decide? Do you think he will do this? Will he F***.

Slideshowbob

Oh and forgot to say - from hereon, I'll attempt to log here all future relatively meaningless events Cowen gets to attend instead of actually running our country.

Just opening today's Irish Times Business section - page 1 - Cowen launches a charity cycle race - bravo Brian!!

When does poor Brian actually get time to "run" the country!?

Floppybits

Slideshowbob wrote: »

Oh and forgot to say - from hereon, I'll attempt to log here all future relatively meaningless events Cowen gets to attend instead of actually running our country.

Just opening today's Irish Times Business section - page 1 - Cowen launches a charity cycle race - bravo Brian!!

Was he on a bike when he launched it? I would like to see that.

Slideshowbob

Brian is discussing Gerry Ryan (RIP) on RTE 1 as we speak

Fratton Fred

It worked for Bertie for years. Cowen is just trying to increase his popularity.

Slideshowbob

Fratton Fred wrote: »

It worked for Bertie for years. Cowen is just trying to increase his popularity.

Well if we assume we thought all was well during the boom - giving Bertie a hugh benefit of the doubt, for the purposes of this discussion, we could forgive Bertie for his over-acceptance to canape and champers laiden events.

Fact is now we are in the dumps - and Cowen thinks this charade is making him popular!? How out of touch he is

Pot Noodle =

He is a Slob of the highest order he fiddles while we burn

anymore

Slideshowbob wrote: »

It has struck me over the past few days that our beloved Taoiseach, Brian Cowen seems to be attending an increasingly inordinate number of mundane functions recently, given the economically challenging times we are in.

Today, he was at the announcement of 50 new jobs in Carlow. He was at some Irish music launch last week, and the FF commemoration on Sunday.

Also, today he seems to be merely acting as a sympathiser with the Quinn staff - having ''expressed concern'' at the situation, almost spokesman-like !! Why isn't he more involved with the nuts and bolts of this situation!?

Has he been demoted to a mere talk-piece, do we have to put this type of leadership for 2 years until the election?

Isn't the Taoiseach supposed to manage his cabinet and oversee matters during these tough economic times.

Couldn't certain ceremonies be left to our President or others?

I could go into even more gory detail but if you want a hint of what he does in his spare time just google "Brian Cowen singing"

He is getting into pre summer holiday mode !
Remember harney's trip by Gov Helicopter ( whilst her car and driver went by road) in order to open a frind's off licence ? No doubt in her mind, she was working hard.
How many Ministers will travel to PS offices to see how work to rule is affecting the delivery of services ?

expectationlost

i think delegation of cabinet responsiblities to their respective ministers is very important but can see his inabilty to be leader of Ireland when he gave very little opinion on child abuse reports but only to refer to what his minister had said.

Slideshowbob

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/you-can-run-taoiseach-but-you-cant-hide-from-the-bad-news-2161043.html

Indeed !!

Poly

Slideshowbob wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/you-can-run-taoiseach-but-you-cant-hide-from-the-bad-news-2161043.html

Indeed !!

"Earlier, the Taoiseach had tried to put across a positive message. "We've got to maintain faith in ourselves and we've got to get out there and get going and sitting back isn't going to solve the problem," he told the audience."

Will he get going after the 3 month summer holiday? what a waster.

anymore

expectationlost wrote: »

i think delegation of cabinet responsiblities to their respective ministers is very important but can see his inabilty to be leader of Ireland when he gave very little opinion on child abuse reports but only to refer to what his minister had said.

When you have a situation where cabinet Ministers can brazenly oppose the Governments policy in thier own constituency, then we are coming close to anarchy.
In Cork Minister Martin openly objected to the building of a Co - located hospital in the Grounds of Cork University Hospital even thogh this is goverment Policy and had been Government Policy in the Programme for Government in the 2007 GE. He was joined in his proetst by Green Senator Dan Boyle and fellow FF TD Michael mcgrath.

Slideshowbob

Woopie

According to press reports, our esteemed leader shall open Lansdowne Road stadium on 14th May at 2.30pm (invite only)

Bravo Brian

sceptre

This isn't going to form a discussion thread by the looks of things and that's what we're for.

I suggest, Slideshowbob, that you start cowenwatch.com/org/blogspot.com instead.