Hi °C | Lo °C IT wouldn't be the first time that Fine Gael saw a bantamweight stun critics by delivering a few knockout blows at the crucial moment.
So no wonder Taoiseach Enda Kenny nearly fell off his seat with delight when former world champion Bernard Dunne suggested that he might come knocking on his door in three years' time looking for a job.
Stranger things have happened.
After a boxing career which started at the age of five and ended at 30, Bernard wondered: "What's next, how do I evolve?" What came next was a career in broadcasting, penning his autobiography and becoming an ambassador for the Irish language. He also helps out the Dublin senior football panel – though Enda wasn't so keen about that one, miming a few uppercuts in Bernard's direction at the Microsoft Ireland headquarters in Sandyford, Co Dublin where they were attending the launch of a new youth initiative.
Enda nodded enthusiastically as Bernard spoke of how people get fixated on the problem rather than looking at the solution. We could almost see two golden promissory notes reflected in Enda's eyes.
The boxer is the "poster boy" for Microsoft's new Youth2Work scheme – which helps young people to gain vital new IT skills.
He himself is about to study for the mobile technology course over the next four months. And after that, politics perhaps?
Not if new Microsoft Ireland MD Cathriona Hallahan can help it. "Don't talk to government – if you want a job we'd be keen to have your competitive skills within the building," she told him.
Microsoft is investing €6m in the scheme to help train 30,000 young people aged 18-25 over the next three years for vacancies in the industry.
The magic word for Enda was "jobs" – especially on a day when there were losses elsewhere.
Earlier at the Biomnis Ireland Laboratories, also in Sandyford, he had taken a tour. He was there for the unveiling of a major new personal health initiative.
The 'Full Health' report combines medical, family history and lifestyle information in simple language and Biomnis says it will be a valuable tool in detecting illness early.
CEO John O'Sullivan said people will be able to use the information to take steps to improve their health – like giving up chips. "What? Not to be eating chips?" asked the Taoiseach in mock alarm.
Irish Independent
