POLL topper, Minister Michael Noonan is set to play a key role in Ireland’s economic recovery. Speaking to the Limerick Post in Dublin’s Buswells Hotel ahead of his expected appointment as Limerick’s first ever Minister for Finance, he said: “When I was in cabinet in the past I played a vital role in addressing the needs of the people of Limerick.
Optimistic that Fine Gael’s policies can alleviate some of the problems facing Limerick, he said that while Limerick’s problems of emigration and unemployment are the same as everywhere else in the country, “we hope that national policies will help to reverse that decline in Limerick and around the country.”
Reaffirming Fine Gael’s commitment to Limerick Regeneration, which was outlined in the programme for government, he emphasised that Shannon airport is a priority issue for the party.
Mayor of Limerick Maria Byrne said that the appointment will be a great boost for Limerick City.
“The fact we’re getting a senior portfolio is extremely important. We haven’t had a senior cabinet minister for the past few years and it has affected the city.”
Welcoming the imminent appointment of Michael Noonan as a senior minister, she said this would be vitally significant for Limerick in the coming years.
Sharing in his party colleague’s success, Deputy Kieran O’Donnell said that Noonan’s elevation to the cabinet “is great for the
West of Ireland.
“We will now have the Taoiseach and the Minister of Finance for the first time and It will also be hugely important for the future of Limerick”.
Asked about his own role in the new government, he said that while he will be supporting Noonan in his new role, his priority will be to represent the people of Limerick.
“This means implementing the recommendations of the Mid West Task Force Report as early as possible in the life of the new government”.
Paying tribute to Noonan’s role in “turning things around for the party and leading Fine Gael into government, Mayor Byrne said that bus loads of people had left Limerick early on Wednesday morning, bound for Kildare Street.
Deputy Patrick O’Donovan was one of 78 new TDs elected to the new-look Dáil.
“I’m looking forward to representing the people of County Limerick, but the hard work starts here,” he said.
By 4pm, Labour’s Jan O’Sullivan had still not been notified of her situation.
Declaring herself “delighted” with her role in the new Labour/Fine Gael coalition, she said her priority is the implementation of stimulus to bring jobs to Limerick.
“I’m also anxious to ensure that the future growth of Shannon Airport is secured” she told this reporter.
When contacted again, just before going to press, she said:
“I think that I would have heard by now if a cabinet portfolio was being offered to me – it’s possible I might hear later on but my feeling now is that I will not be getting a senior ministry – if it’s going to be a junior ministry, it might be tomorrow before I am notified”.
