In reshuffling his Cabinet, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has promised a fresh perspective and a renewed commitment to the implementation of Government policies. It is a tall order.
For, while some of the portfolio changes have the potential to bring about structural reform and innovation, the Ministers concerned may be inhibited from antagonising powerful vested interests for electoral reasons. Already, there are signs of a loss of nerve - such as the shelving of the carbon tax - in advance of the coming general election.
As in previous reshuffles by Mr Ahern, this exercise promised more than it delivered. After six months in gestation, three Ministers of State were promoted to Cabinet and one Minister was sacked. If the performance of Cabinet members was so poor as to attract public criticism from the Taoiseach himself during the summer months, why are those involved still in Government? Seven of those transferred to new Departments held their last portfolios for only two years. Some of them must surely have disappointed the Taoiseach and failed to implement policy. Yet they were transferred, rather than fired. In the same way, the promotion of a number of backbenchers as junior ministers reflected an unwillingness to give offence.
Some of the ministerial changes bear watching, however, because they have the potential to change the direction of Government policy. The decision by the Tánaiste and leader of the Progressive Democrats, Ms Harney, to accept the Health portfolio suggests that she believes that she can rise to the challenge. Three reports on structural and hospital reform remain to be implemented and Mr Ahern spoke yesterday of matching investment with reform.
The replacement of Mr Brennan by Mr Cullen at Transport may signal a softening in approach towards trade unions and the State sector. But the signals are mixed. The Taoiseach has promised a number of key strategic decisions on public transport over the coming months, while emphasising the need for a consensus-based approach to managing change and protecting jobs.
Under this new Cabinet, some past mistakes are likely to be quietly rectified. The appointment of Mr Cowen to Finance may lead to a review of decentralisation policy. And, as the man in pole position to succeed Mr Ahern as leader of Fianna Fáil, it remains to be seen whether he will signal a change in economic direction. His rival, Mr Martin, has been granted experience in a senior economic ministry at Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Mr Dempsey's transfer probably results from his ill-judged attempt to reintroduce university fees.
The Taoiseach's hope that the energy and ambition of his three new Ministers will revitalise the Cabinet is wishful thinking. At a minimum, however, the reshuffle has strengthened his own position while providing a face-lift for the Government in advance of the general election.