This article is from page 24 of the 2007-06-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
CONFIDENCE in politics can be a dangerous thing, very dangerous. Tanaistes, ministers and party lead- ers can lose their seats — Michael McDowell was all three but was still rejected at the polls.
This volatility, or at the very least awareness of it, is why Tony Killeen and others refused to be drawn on their cabinet credentials in the run up to the election to the 30th Dail.
“IT was looking to retain my seat first off,’ says Deputy Killeen. “All that could be done up to now was get elected. I’ve done that.”
Success makes him open up more — free to talk of his ambition. Two and a half years a junior minister in the Department of Labour. Now he wants more, a message he hopes wins the ear of Bertie Ahern if he’s elected Taoiseach for a third term.
“lm happy with what I have achieved during that time. There are elements of it that I would like to have the opportunity to advance further. There are other jobs that I would love the challenge of doing.
“At this stage when we don’t know what parties will form the govern- ment, it’s difficult to know what posi- tions the Taoiseach will be in a posi- tion to offer. Three seats would have guaranteed a full ministerial post for Clare.
“I’m not hung at all on the honour of being a senior minister but I do be-
lieve that the benefits for the county of having someone at the Government meeting every Tuesday morning and hearing at first hand the plans of their
colleagues is highly significant.
“IT have no doubt that it is the big- gest political advantage to any coun- ty or constituency to have someone
in those meetings and party to deci- sion-making. I would like to have a position — I would relish the chal- lenge. If I’m offered a position I will
be more than happy to take it.”
And, being at the top table is how Killeen reckons his wish list for the lifetime of the 30th Dail can best be served. The old chestnuts of Ennis’ hospital and Shannon Airport — the rocks on which many election cam- paigns have been built.
“IT suffered electorally on the Shan- non Airport issue because I told the truth — that Open Skies was inevita- ble and that the state airline model wasn’t sustainable and that part pri- vatisation was inevitable.
“I’m happy that the package of measures that Martin Cullen has been putting in place is the right way to go. That’s only a part of it. The re- mainder of the job is for the airport management and marketing people on one level, but also for the hotel federation people to play a proactive role in doing a co-operative market- ing venture with the airport and the tourism wing of Shannon Develop- ment. I have no doubt but that the government will be forthcoming with the kind of finance that has been mentioned for Shannon Airport.”
Tony Killeen would love to be sit- ting beside Minister Cullen at the cabinet table when he makes the funding announcement for Shannon.