IT WAS striking how, in profiles of the new Cabinet published this week, a number of Ministers were described as friends or close friends of the new Taoiseach, writes NOEL WHELAN.
Brian Cowen has placed some long-time political allies around the Cabinet table and particularly into the key positions of Tánaiste, Minister for Finance and Minister for Education.
It contrasts sharply with Bertie Ahern who was, in many ways, as much of a loner in Cabinet as he was generally. Of course, Ahern had sociable interaction with his ministerial colleagues, and there was much camaraderie between them, but few of his Ministers really knew him.
The only true friend Ahern appointed to Cabinet was Ray Burke who became minister for foreign affairs in 1997. Indeed, that friendship may have clouded Ahern's judgement in making the appointment.
Apart from Burke, one had a sense that there was no one in Cabinet whom Ahern completely trusted, to whom he would turn to for advice or with whom he could be truly frank about his views. Ahern relied primarily on his own resources. He occasionally drew on civil service and political advisers or tapped into the network of contacts and informants he had developed across Fianna Fáil, in the unions and in sporting organisations.
The new Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, believes first and foremost in the primacy of elected politicians. Those to whom he listens most are his parliamentary colleagues.
In Cowen's view it is TDs who have earned the mandate to influence policy and he has less regard for anyone else who claims an entitlement to shape or comment on policy. We are likely to see a reassertion of the power of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party under Cowen's rule and, indeed, the power of councillors within the party generally.
We are also likely to see a reassertion of the power of parliament. Cowen has always been a politician who has been orientated towards the Oireachtas. He enjoys the Dáil chamber and it will be his main stage. This week he light-heartedly rejected Opposition demands that he make himself available for questioning every Thursday. However, in time he is likely to bring forward proposals for significant Dáil reform. Opposition parties are likely to find Cowen open to their suggestions provided they accept the realities which flow from the fact that he heads a Government with an effective 12-vote majority.
Cabinet government under Cowen will also be different. Ahern was both an efficient and effective chair of Cabinet discussions. However, when disagreement arose between Ministers or when Ahern himself felt proposals might be controversial, he tended to adjourn or delay matters in the hope that something would emerge to resolve them or make them more palatable. Too often Ministers left the Cabinet room not really knowing whether Ahern was in favour or against their proposals.
Cowen will be more frank with his colleagues and they will be under no illusion as to his views. He has a low tolerance for ministerial grandstanding and will expect Ministers to be team players. Those more concerned with their own profile at a cost to the overall Government standing will get short shrift.
The new Taoiseach will not tolerate solo runs; all key initiatives will have to come before Cabinet but once approved Ministers can be confident that they will enjoy Cowen's unqualified support in implementation.
The shape of his new Cabinet suggests that Cowen's Government will be more robust and diverse in its political presentation. The standing of the Government will rely less on the personal Cowen brand and more on a core group of high-profile politicians who are effective communicators.
The new Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan, has already shown that she possesses the mix of mettle and charm required to be effective in that role. The appointment of Brian Lenihan to finance also reflects this emphasis.
The appointment of Pat Carey as Chief Whip is also significant. It is clearly designed to restore the job of chief whip to its traditional function as a key political role.
The appointment of Barry Andrews should also be viewed in a political context. Andrews is well up to the task of running the young office of the Minister for Children but he is also a good political communicator which will help specifically when he is required to make a case for the children's referendum.
By plucking Andrews from the backbenches and placing him at the Cabinet table in the super-junior chair, Cowen has shown that ability can and will be promoted. It augurs well for substantial changes when the full line-up of Ministers of State is announced next week.