HAS Enda Kenny had a good festive season?
Many, himself included, would would say it was the best Christmas he ever
had.
But down in panto land, the cry from the gods was: “Oh no, it isn’t”.
Well, to be fair, it was how the rest of us were faring under the
Taoiseach that was the butt of the joke.
Tearaway twins Jedward were running amok on the Olympia Theatre stage
in front of screaming kids and their bemused parents.
Jedward and the Beanstalk played to packed houses right up to last
night and it was the last place you’d expect our Government leader to
feature.
The excited audience was told that Enda Kenny was in the audience “but
you won’t see him - he’s in the cloakroom going through your coat
pockets”!
Call it a script-writers little dig if you like, but it hardly
mattered that few caught up in the delightful chaos of a Jedward event
knew just who this mystery man was.
It seemed a lot of the mums and dads weren’t too sure either...though
no one cared as long as he didn't come up behind you!
Now that all the distraction of Christmas and New Year are over, there
isn’t much likelihood of the good humour lasting long into 2012.
While the Taoiseach was in great form when he held a briefing for
political correspondents before tucking into the turkey, he knows
there are tough times ahead.
He admitted as much over mince pies in the Sycamore Room at Government
Buildings, where he revealed that he would be hauling his Cabinet in
for a January dressing down.
All Ministers will be told they face an end of year progress report in
March and they will have to account for what is happening in their
individual departments
“If there’s a reason why there can’t be work going on about these
things, I want to know it,” he warned them.
And the former teacher stressed that it would be a no-nonsense
assessment of his Leinster House classroom, adding: “If there’s an
issue that can’t be dealt with, I want to know the reasons behind
that.”
January brings some other worries to our doorsteps, with the Troika of
international bailout bankers from the IMF and EU officials back in
town to check on the State books.
Armed with what they will glean for their inspection, the lenders will
releases their next quarterly review of the
bailout by the end of the month - and hopefully give the nod for the
latest handout.
The euro crisis will also be back centre stage following the holiday
break, though what impact our elected representatives will have in the
so-called Merkozy dominated plans remains to be seen.
It’s been a while since we heard any mention of burning the senior
bondholders, or for that matter, improved new terms for the compliant
Irish.
But the future of the single currency, indeed the future of the
European Union, will be high on the agenda as State lawyers pore over
the less-than-appealing prospects of a referendum on treaty change.
Back on home turf, Enda & coy will be under the cosh with the
resumption of business in Dail Eireann on Wednesday.
The Opposition are chomping at the bit over the taxman’s squeeze on
pensioners, and the Coalition will be conscious of the fiasco when the
previous Government was forced by protests into a U turn on slashing
medical cards for the elderly.
The ongoing rumpus over the household charge and plans to draw up a
property tax will prove to be a thorn in Enda’s side, with the
incoming septic tank charge also sure to raise hackles in the chamber.
Oh, and on a lighter note, spare a thought for shirty Independents who
face another style war clash with the Ceann Comhairle.
Sean Barrett wants Mick Wallace, Richard Boyd Barrett and Luke Ming
Flanagan to don jackets and collared shirts - although ties will be
optional.
The Committee on Procedure and Privileges agreed with the Chairman
last Summer on TDs smartening up, but the move fizzled out amid fears
of a publicity coup by the casual dressers.
It’s back on the agenda now so watch out for a appearance soon by
cannabis campaigner Ming in his Louis Copeland-tailored hemp suit.
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