Enterprise: No-one could blame Mr Micheál Martin if he arrived for work this morning with an extra spring in his step. He might even whistle a tune.
After nearly five years in crisis management at the Department of Health, assuming responsibility for the State's continued economic success must seem like a simple task.
But the new Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment faces some daunting challenges, and will be expected to deliver quick results.
While much of his time at Health was devoted to long-term reforms, both employers and unions yesterday emphasised the importance of medium-term strategies in his new role.
Among his first tasks will be to set about implementing the recommendations of the Enterprise Strategy Group, which reported to his predecessor, Ms Harney, in July.
An inter-departmental group set up to examine how the report should be implemented is due to report to the Cabinet in the next two weeks.
Mr Brendan Butler, director of enterprise with the employers' body, IBEC, said Mr Martin could make a "fantastic start" by implementing two of the report's key recommendations.
These were the call for a twice-yearly Cabinet meeting dedicated to enterprise, and the related recommendation that the Cabinet meetings be supported by an expert group on enterprise.
To do so, Mr Martin will require the co-operation of Cabinet colleagues, particularly those in other economic ministries, such as Finance, Communications and Transport.
In this respect, said Mr Butler, Mr Martin was likely to find his job considerably different than those he previously held as Minister for Health and earlier, Education.
Mr Martin would have to work closely with the new Minister for Communications, Mr Dempsey, to address rising energy costs and the issue of security of supply.
SIPTU president Mr Jack O'Connor said Mr Martin should be aware that to maintain a dynamic economy, he had to address the social and "work-life balance" agenda at the same time. It was no accident that the most productive countries, such as the Nordic states, were those with the highest standards of employment and social provision.
