Michael Noonan - Minister of Finance?

Imagineer

Is this the most likely position for MN if he gets voted in with an FG government? I think it would be fantastic for the country, if only for sheer entertainment value.

Peanut2011

Honestly, we have enough clowns in there. We need the new age approach away from the political parties and direct election of each member separately.

squonk

It's true! it struck me yesterday evening listening to a financial guy on the Last Word who's looking to get elected now to provide some advice and clarity to the incoming government on steps that need to be taken.

What we need at this point is a Taoiseach who can appoint a government with ministers who actually know their brief in the context fo the real world. So, that would involve for instance Dave Mc williams in finance or Mick O'Leary in Transport.

Im citing these guys as an example but I'm sure a decent effort could come up with a good solid short list of names from which the eventaul minister could be chosen.

Now that we've seen what politicians are capable of in the areas of Health, Finance, Transport etc. it's about time for a change.

RobbieTheRobber

squonk wrote: »

It's true! it struck me yesterday evening listening to a financial guy on the Last Word who's looking to get elected now to provide some advice and clarity to the incoming government on steps that need to be taken.

What we need at this point is a Taoiseach who can appoint a government with ministers who actually know their brief in the context fo the real world. So, that would involve for instance Dave Mc williams in finance or Mick O'Leary in Transport.

Im citing these guys as an example but I'm sure a decent effort could come up with a good solid short list of names from which the eventaul minister could be chosen.

Now that we've seen what politicians are capable of in the areas of Health, Finance, Transport etc. it's about time for a change.

I dont know if I entirely agree, what makes a good banker doesnt necessarily translate into a good minister for finance. Bankers rarely care for the welfare of others, surely a consideration for a Cabinet minister..

similiarly what makes a good defence attorney, would not necessarily make a good minister for justice(Michael McDowell, former attorney general)

Imagineer

Whilst I agree, the liklihood of it happening is a little slim, no? Irish people will still vote for who will do most for them, the whole process needs to be overhauled, if you ask me, and nobody did.

Anybody read the FG report/manifesto that they published a few months ago, interesting reading?!!

DJCR

Imagineer wrote: »

Is this the most likely position for MN if he gets voted in with an FG government? I think it would be fantastic for the country, if only for sheer entertainment value.

A teacher for Taoiseach, a teacher for Finance Minister..... The TUI will be well represented anyway! Public Servant pay cuts, hmmmmmmmmm.........

gandalf

Peanut2011 wrote: »

Honestly, we have enough clowns in there. We need the new age approach away from the political parties and direct election of each member separately.

No we need a total list system so our national representatives are no longer distracted by Billy Pothole and Mary Schoolopening!

InchicoreDude

Back to OP's question - it depends greatly on numbers. If Labour are string enough, they could insist on having finance minister (Who would be Joan Burton). Otherwise, it'll be Michael Noonan

SB-08

If FG have a lot more seats than Labour than it will be either Michael Noonan or Richard Burton. If the seats of the two parties are close and Labour get the Finance MInister I beleive it will go to either Pat Rabbitte (due to his knowledge of finance plus his friendship with Enda and past experience working close together) or Ruiari Quinn (due to his huge experience of actually being a former Finance Minister and a highly regarded one at that). Joan Burton will not get a look in thankfully. There is quite simply no way her and Enda Kenny will work as a team, and frankly she has proven recently that she is quite simply not competent enough to carry out the job at hand. Her Budget speech was beyond appalling. The only thing she is able to do is MOAN and nothing else.

InchicoreDude

If FG have a lot more seats than Labour than it will be either Michael Noonan or Richard Burton. If the seats of the two parties are close and Labour get the Finance MInister I beleive it will go to either Pat Rabbitte (due to his knowledge of finance plus his friendship with Enda and past experience working close together) or Ruiari Quinn (due to his huge experience of actually being a former Finance Minister and a highly regarded one at that). Joan Burton will not get a look in thankfully. There is quite simply no way her and Enda Kenny will work as a team, and frankly she has proven recently that she is quite simply not competent enough to carry out the job at hand. Her Budget speech was beyond appalling. The only thing she is able to do is MOAN and nothing else.

I can't see Labour shafting Burton like that - They will do what they can to get her in as finance minister

johngalway

If Labour are to get the post, then I'd like to see Quinn in there again TBH. I'm not his biggest fan, but he done a pretty good job the last time out.

whywonder

It may just be me, but I'm not seeing any of those options as particularly inspiring. That said, I'd prefer to see Richard Bruton in the position over and above Michael Noonan or Joan Bruton, though that's just a personal opinion.

At this point, I think it's likely that the next Dail will be 80 independents and the most popular of the rest of the parties scraping their way back in. One of the Healy-Raes could be the next minister for finance, then.

andrew cross

that's all we need, a old man, in a grey suit, talking about the *hard decisions * yea right, only thing its the taxpayer who pays more, same old story:mad:

PomBear

Noonan's response to the recent budget was pisspoor and I would hate to see that lack of passion mixed with FG's economic policy, it ain't much to look forward to..

whywonder

Well, to be fair, Government money comes from the taxpayer... who else is going to pay to run our country?

Note: I am not saying I agree with tax hikes or people getting shafted by new taxes. I'm just pointing out that the Government don't have a pot of gold where they get their spending money. Or they do, but that pot of gold is actually the tax-paying public.

SB-08

PomBear wrote: »

Noonan's response to the recent budget was pisspoor and I would hate to see that lack of passion mixed with FG's economic policy, it ain't much to look forward to..

You clearly missed him destroying Lenihan during the Budget debate on Prime Time where he clearly exposed Lenny for what he is - an incompetent economically inept fool. That is something no-one else had been able to do up to that point. lenny his usually able to waffle on and is never faced one on one with someone with a far greater understanding on the economy because he refused to do live interviews. Noonan's attention to detail and overall knowledge of the finances exceeded what we currently have to an enormous extent and I believe he will make a very good Finance Minister. He is very tough as well - a bit of a rottweiler which is something we need with respect to the bailout deal.

PomBear

SB-08 wrote: »

You clearly missed him destroying Lenihan during the Budget debate on Prime Time where he clearly exposed Lenny for what he is - an incompetent economically inept fool. That is something no-one else had been able to do up to that point. lenny his usually able to waffle on and is never faced one on one with someone with a far greater understanding on the economy because he refused to do live interviews. Noonan's attention to detail and overall knowledge of the finances exceeded what we currently have to an enormous extent and I believe he will make a very good Finance Minister. He is very tough as well - a bit of a rottweiler which is something we need with respect to the bailout deal.

Arthur Morgan, Pearse Doherty and Joan Burton have done this on a regular basis.

Selective viewing methinks...

Noonan looks like more of the same in comparison

maynooth_rules

PomBear wrote: »

Arthur Morgan, Pearse Doherty and Joan Burton have done this on a regular basis.

Selective viewing methinks...

Noonan looks like more of the same in comparison

Morgan and Doherty are brilliant at spouting populist nonsense. Noonan focuses on facts and he was very good both in that Prime Time debate and in his budget response. I think you are in a serious minority with your opinion here

Wide Road

maynooth_rules wrote: »

Morgan and Doherty are brilliant at spouting populist nonsense. Noonan focuses on facts and he was very good both in that Prime Time debate and in his budget response. I think you are in a serious minority with your opinion here

Are you aware that Ml Noonan was Minister for Health during the Hep C scandal? He was also FG leader when his party returned 25 seats. He is a failed politician.

PomBear

maynooth_rules wrote: »

Morgan and Doherty are brilliant at spouting populist nonsense. Noonan focuses on facts and he was very good both in that Prime Time debate and in his budget response. I think you are in a serious minority with your opinion here

Have you read SF's economic policy?

It's not Populist, it's just a difference in opinion, Labour and SF don't believe in cutting your way out of a recession.

Also, I doubt i'm in the minority in saying people would prefer Doherty to Noonan

maynooth_rules

Wide Road wrote: »

Are you aware that Ml Noonan was Minister for Health during the Hep C scandal? He was also FG leader when his party returned 25 seats. He is a failed politician.

Yes I am well aware of the Hep C Scandal. Mary Harney was Minister of Health during misdiagnosed cancer screenings, thousands of unopened letters at Tallaght and the disastrous attempt at taking the medical cards off the over 70s. Plenty of Ministers of Health have made monumental cock ups. He set the Hepatitis C Tribunal of Inquiry and issued several apologies for the Hep C Scandal.
Yes he was FG leader in 2002, and the main reason for him doing so so bad back then was because so many people bought into the complete ****e that Bertie was coming out with. That has done us well hasn't it.
Anyone who says Noonan is a failed politician obviously has payed no attention whatsoever to politics since he was made Minister for Finance.

nice_guy80

PomBear wrote: »

Noonan's response to the recent budget was pisspoor and I would hate to see that lack of passion mixed with FG's economic policy, it ain't much to look forward to..

what coverage were you watching??

Noonan took Lenihan's budget apart like a cat playing with a mouse

both in his knowledge of tax bands, credits, and the effects of measures

nice_guy80

Wide Road wrote: »

Are you aware that Ml Noonan was Minister for Health during the Hep C scandal? He was also FG leader when his party returned 25 seats. He is a failed politician.

Noonan was subject to the advice of the Health Department in that issue. He certainly didn't come out of it smelling of roses. But the state will always try to cover its ass

Amazotheamazing

PomBear wrote: »

Have you read SF's economic policy?

It's not Populist, it's just a difference in opinion, Labour and SF don't believe in cutting your way out of a recession.

Also, I doubt i'm in the minority in saying people would prefer Doherty to Noonan

It's possible to praise one candidate without tearing down another. Noonan was very good on the budget.

SB-08

PomBear wrote: »

Arthur Morgan, Pearse Doherty and Joan Burton have done this on a regular basis.

Selective viewing methinks...

Noonan looks like more of the same in comparison

You can't be serious surely? The three you have mentioned are only capable of spouting populist nonsense and are in no way credible. When confronted with serious questions regarding to their stance on the economy they refuse to answer and just waffle more nonsense they know people will lap up. Doherty's speech on Budget day was great entertainment and he shouted and screamed about how awful the Govt were - it was great. But the polices are laughable - as are the majority of those on the Left. Labour are more credible it must be said but Moan Burton has been continuously caught out with her waffle. Labour would be far better off putting Pat Rabbitte or Ruairi Quinn as Finance Spokesperson.

Michael Noonan is clearly in a totally different league to the three you have mentioned (I am still shocked you mentioned Author Morgan). He doesn't say what he knows will be popular but what he knows is reality. His knowledge of the economy goes without saying. If you really do believe that Doherty or Moan would have been capable of ripping Lenihan apart you are very naive in my view. Doherty would have just shouted but would have been totally exposed for his popular nonsene b Lenihan and Lenihan would have tripped Moan up endlessly throughout. That I have no doubt about. Lenny is a brilliant waffler and unless he is confronted with someone with a great knowledge about his own decisions - he ALWAYS comes across as the winner because he never allows himself to be tripped up. Even Vincent Browne hasn't been able to win in this respect. Michael Noonan however destroyed him in a very calm and collective manny - not using shouting as a tactic but rather knowledge of the facts and undersntanding of the overall Finance system. Lenihan himself was surprised at some of the figures Noonan hit him with and appeared to not even understand his OWN budget. It was laughable and you could see Lenny was on the verge of exploding with anger.

zootroid

SB-08 wrote: »

If FG have a lot more seats than Labour than it will be either Michael Noonan or Richard Burton. If the seats of the two parties are close and Labour get the Finance MInister I beleive it will go to either Pat Rabbitte (due to his knowledge of finance plus his friendship with Enda and past experience working close together) or Ruiari Quinn (due to his huge experience of actually being a former Finance Minister and a highly regarded one at that). Joan Burton will not get a look in thankfully. There is quite simply no way her and Enda Kenny will work as a team, and frankly she has proven recently that she is quite simply not competent enough to carry out the job at hand. Her Budget speech was beyond appalling. The only thing she is able to do is MOAN and nothing else.

Joan Burton is a chartered accountant. I don't like her much either, but at least she's financially literate

PomBear

SB-08 wrote: »

You can't be serious surely? The three you have mentioned are only capable of spouting populist nonsense and are in no way credible. When confronted with serious questions regarding to their stance on the economy they refuse to answer and just waffle more nonsense they know people will lap up. Doherty's speech on Budget day was great entertainment and he shouted and screamed about how awful the Govt were - it was great. But the polices are laughable - as are the majority of those on the Left.

Why don't you bring us through how SF's policies are not credible and can't work, poorly assuming you've read them or know any of them.

Labour are more credible it must be said but Moan Burton has been continuously caught out with her waffle. Labour would be far better off putting Pat Rabbitte or Ruairi Quinn as Finance Spokesperson.

I agree but she's still a far cry better than Noonan. Noonan has already been poor as a ministe

r.

Michael Noonan is clearly in a totally different league to the three you have mentioned (I am still shocked you mentioned Author Morgan). He doesn't say what he knows will be popular but what he knows is reality. His knowledge of the economy goes without saying.

Not really, I can't name on credible economist that has agreed with FG's economic policy. Anyone who knows anything about economics knows you can't cut your way out of recession.

If you really do believe that Doherty or Moan would have been capable of ripping Lenihan apart you are very naive in my view. Doherty would have just shouted but would have been totally exposed for his popular nonsene b Lenihan and Lenihan would have tripped Moan up endlessly throughout. That I have no doubt about. Lenny is a brilliant waffler and unless he is confronted with someone with a great knowledge about his own decisions - he ALWAYS comes across as the winner because he never allows himself to be tripped up.

Doherty, Morgan and Burton have consistently ripped apart lenihan, what channel were you watching at the time?

Even Vincent Browne hasn't been able to win in this respect. Michael Noonan however destroyed him in a very calm and collective manny - not using shouting as a tactic but rather knowledge of the facts and undersntanding of the overall Finance system. Lenihan himself was surprised at some of the figures Noonan hit him with and appeared to not even understand his OWN budget. It was laughable and you could see Lenny was on the verge of exploding with anger.

While others found him with a lack credibility, ability and knowledge of economy. Noonan was found to be much of a muchness such as in FG.

Killer Pigeon

Joan Burton has more expertise in the area of finance than Michael Noonan. Michael Noonan is a qualified teacher, Burton is an accountant and former lecturer. In a Labour-Fine Gael coalition Joan Burton is the obvious chose.