Calleary gets to grips with Ministerial workload

Calleary gets to grips with Ministerial workload


Anna-Marie Flynn

BALLINA’s newly-appointed Junior Minister, Deputy Dara Calleary has commenced work on his new departmental brief following a rapturous reception in his hometown.
Fresh from his promotion last Wednesday as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with special responsibility for Labour Affairs, Minister Calleary was yesterday (Monday) well on the way with work on his new portfolio.
With celebrations going on well into the early hours of Friday morning, following the TD’s homecoming on Thursday night, it seemed the bonfires were hardly extinguished before Minister Calleary was getting to grips with his new responsibilities.
Even the stack of files relating to the new position did not put a damper on the TD’s spirits.  Speaking from his office yesterday, he told The Mayo News: “There is a lot of work to be done, I am aware of that, but it is such an honour for me to be in this position. I really couldn’t believe it when I got the news on Wednesday morning. I was preparing for a day with Minister Batt O’Keefe when I got the news and it has been a whirlwind since then.”
After receiving a call from Taoiseach Brian Cowen at 9am on Wednesday, the third generation politician had just a handful of hours to wait before his title was exalted to ‘Minister’; something he says he never expected. “It was a complete shock. I had never considered the possibility seriously but obviously it was something I would also have aspired to so I am thrilled. I am delighted not just for myself, but for my family – my mother and father – and my supporters.”
With his relocation within the Department immediately following the official announcement at Government Buildings, progress through the ranks was certainly swift. “Everything happened so fast. At 4.45pm the official announcement was made and by 5.15pm I was in a meeting with Minister Mary Coughlan. That evening, my office was changed.”
But it is the portfolio allocation that has captured most public debate on the promotion. While hundreds of congratulations poured in over the weekend, many were issued alongside a hope that ‘something can be done for the town now’. Considering Ballina’s tag of ‘unemployment black-spot’ with the largest unemployment rates in the country, the newly-appointed Minister will be under a certain amount of pressure to deliver for his county, and not least for Ballina.  But without a budget, dramatic changes will be difficult.
“Of course there will be an expectation but the reality is things don’t just happen overnight. We have faced the same problems in Ballina for years,” he said. “The same problems that were there last week will be there next week and the week after but I will do my level best to do what I can. I haven’t been handed a magic wand. Times are tough and things will take time to happen, but I’m going to do my best for the people of Mayo.”
Referring to the current economic climate, and in light of comments made by Westport Labour Party town councillor Keith Martin, who compared his appointment to ‘getting a promotion on the Titanic just after the lookout has shouted ‘Iceberg!’, Minister Calleary stated: “The economic crisis has hit hard everywhere. I am aware of the issues facing towns throughout Ireland and I will now have to look closely at those. I am also aware that while I am in the midst of celebrations at gaining a promotion, a lot of people are facing very tough times ahead and are receiving news of unemployment. I will do my level best, and will build on my experience to date to work hard in this position. I will do my very best to deliver on the faith that has been placed in me.”