FF/FG/Green Government - Part 3

Very strange for a first full cabinet ministry. He was only super junior until now. Why not start him off in a less complex portfolio?

+1

Minister for Finance is arguably the most important position in cabinet. The minister should realistically either have strong academic qualifications (multiple degrees in finance/economics), extensive leadership experience in the private sector (senior management positions in large companies) or at the very least lots of ministerial experience (multiple years running less difficult/important briefs like Enterprise or Tourism where they've learnt the ropes and shown they're up to running a department). Or ideally a combination of all three.

This move reeks of Martin wanting Chambers to be his successor as FF leader so moving Chambers up the ranks far too rapidly.

see above- academia is all very well but he has little real life experience - had he a PhD in economics with a few years of lecturing behind him I might actually respect this appointment more - he needed a few years more to get to grips with understand and address the economic concepts that ultimately make a great finance minister - there’s no way he has that knowledge right now given he only finished medicine in 2020

it makes loads of sense, when talking about the most senior and most important role in cabinet right now - Even John Bruton who was 34 on 1982 when finance minister had 10 years of political life under his belt and exposure to many departments - and we all know how his 1981 budget turned out now don’t we 🤪

Agree and also- he HAS to have an economic strategy that he can articulate to the public - we have so many challenges economically right now, both the markets and the public need reassurance that he’s in control and on top of this portfolio- out of all the ministries, this one doesn’t come with a honeymoon period - you deliver or you’re out - it’s the one ministry that people will remember come election time

I clearly stated above what his last degree was- and being Deputy Mayor in 2015 is hardly a major CV achievement for Finance Minister now is it- and considering he’s been studying medicine up to 2020 hardly a 10 years in politics career?
But obviously you love him - good luck so with the next budget and the economy if that’s the sort of person you’re willing to place your economic future with

I don't know what Dara Calleary but whatever it was Martin hasn't forgiven him. He might have been a more obvious appointment as he was the Opposition spokesperson for Expenditure and reform from 2016 - 2018 but for some reason was dumped by Martin when forming the government even after being FF chief negotiator. He has been a TD since 2007 so has experience and was Chief Whip as well until golf gate. But alas Chambers seems to be the rising star now.

A lot of politicians over the years have had to deal with grave economic matters without much background in the field, including Chambers's own political 'forefather' Briain Lenihan Jr. Apparently David McWilliams had to sit Lenihan down and explain the basics of economics to him when he came to McWillians for advice on how to handle the brewing financial crisis. Barack Obama round the same time was another guy with no specific business/economics expertise…

We don't appoint technocratic governments, we elect TDs, who select a Minister, that is democracy. We have had plenty of people getting into the Dail who are not qualified for any job. As much as I don't like it on occasion, it is what the people have voted for.

Ray MacSharry, widely considered to be one of our best Finance Ministers had no third-level education, and ended up a European Commissioner.

I think you are just making things up to have a go at the government.

Yep- it’s obvious to you and me also - to some here, it’s just like another portfolio like Minister for Sausage rolls

Most Ministers for Finance are far more qualified than Chambers is? Let's look at this.

Jack Chambers - A degree in law and politics and a medical graduate from RCSI.

Ray MacSharry - no third level qualification

Alan Dukes - a degree in economics

John Bruton - Arts degree and a barrister

Albert Reynolds - no third level qualification, showband organiser

Gene Fitzgerald - no third level qualification

Bertie Ahern - Accounting technician

Ruairi Quinn - Architect

Charlie McCreevy - chartered accountant

Brian Cowen - solicitor

Brian Lenihan - barrister

Michael Noonan - teacher

Paschal Donohoe - business degree

Michael McGrath - chartered accountant

Out of fourteen Finance Ministers, we have two chartered accountants, one economist and one with a business degree, only those four could be argued to be more qualified for the post than Jack Chambers, with two of those four - McCreevy and Dukes to be considered among the worst Finance Ministers in the history of the state.

You are talking horsesh!t out of a desire just to do the man down and get at the government. Give an opinion based on facts, not on myths.