Readers will know that the blog was no great fan of Lenihan, who ushered in the bank guarantee, Nama, and the minimum wage cut on behalf of his party, Fianna Fail; so it's unlikely that any of his family, friends or supporters will be readers. Know it or not, however, they have its sincere condolences.
I used to see Brian Lenihan regularly enough on the train before he became Minister for Justice in 2007. I even met him when I was playing bass at a pub gig in Tyrellstown years back. But don't worry, I'm not going to get all maudlin - or falling into the very Irish trap of canonising the dead.
I did, however, think it was a disgrace that Fianna Fail left Lenihan in place as Finance Minister when his illness was revealed. I saw it then as a cynical move by the party, and contended that he was re-elected in Dublin West partly out of sympathy. He was the only Fianna Failler that was re-elected in the capital.
Cancer is a terrible disease, we all know someone who passed away from it. Sufferers should do everything they can to avoid stress. And It is difficult to imagine a more stressful situation than being Minister for Finance as your country goes down the pan.
The Soliders of Destiny should have insisted he step down, whether he wanted to or not - it might not have made a difference in the long run, but it might have given him more time with his family and friends, along with a less stressful life.
Fianna Fail should be ashamed of themselves... again.
On a purely human level, RIP.
Back to Gombeen Nation main page
2 comments:
"The Soldiers of Destiny should have insisted he step down, whether he wanted to or not - it might not have made a difference in the long run, but it might have given him more time with his family and friends, along with a less stressful life.Fianna Fail should be ashamed of themselves... again"- I TOTALLY agree- especially last sentence.
Brian Lenihan( RIP) was a qualified Barrister- not an economist- he was learning economics on the job, then hit by 2 juggernauts: economic collapse of a rich nation caused by the greed and stupidity of his party and the rich class they supported- and cancer. He Should have been forced to resign when illness struck - but even so I did not think he'd do the last election...and it Must have been cynical electioneering by his party that allowed him to stand. He told a friend, when diagnosed that he did not want to go home to die- True. But why didn't he resign and do a little law work? travel? Write his memoirs? Instead of being elected on the Fouth count in the 2011 election, in quite an emotional state? With just 3.5 months to live?
A succesful clever charming man, much liked by his colleagues- and whose last 2 years were marred by the straight jacket of being born in an Irish 'political dynasty' a species I hope now will wither on the vine.
BTW I did have some aquaintance with some TDs in last Dail, who thought Brian Lenihan was decent enough, compared to some of his party colleagues. A decent guy- shame about his party. actaully I never met him, but I am sure I would have liked his company - 2 years older than me - once again RIP.
Yes Anna... FF's cynicism knows no bounds, it seems.
Post a Comment