John Downing

John Downing Opinion Barry Cowen’s 18 days as a government minister was extraordinarily short by any standard

Appointed at teatime on Saturday, June 27, and sacked just after teatime on Tuesday, July 14, Barry Cowen’s term as a government minister was inordinately short.

Barry Cowen. Photo: Gareth Chaney, Collins

John Downing Opinion Seventeen days as a minister was short by any standard

Appointed at teatime on Saturday, June 27, and sacked just after teatime on Tuesday, July 14, Barry Cowen's term as a government minister was inordinately short.

Coat of Arms: Peter Paul McSwiney (Photo: Dublin City Library And Archive)

France marks Bastille Day in Ireland by honouring 'a forgotten Irish hero'

A LONG-forgotten hero and former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Peter Paul McSwiney, was honoured by the French Government today.

British cabinet minister Michael Gove. Photo: REUTERS

John Downing Opinion Some minimal Brexit deal is likely - but it's all about limiting the damage from now on

'From January 1, 2021, we will embark on the next chapter in our history as a fully independent United Kingdom," British cabinet minister Michael Gove told the London parliament yesterday.

'The EU's Court of Justice are seeking to overturn an EU Commission decision in 2016 that Apple got preferential treatment from Ireland and owed €13bn in back taxes.' Stock photo: Philip Toscano/PA

Fears of a 'lose-lose' verdict in €13bn Apple tax case

The Government is bracing itself for a potential "lose-lose" outcome to the €13bn Apple tax case ruling due on Wednesday.

First foray into EU-land: Taoiseach Micheál Martin (centre) faces a vital meeting with fellow EU leaders.
PHOTO: JULIEN BEHAL/PA WIRE

John Downing Opinion Martin will swap the domestic political frying pan for the white heat of the EU fire

The way things are shaping up in domestic politics, Micheál Martin may be relieved to get to Brussels next Friday for his first EU summit. But frying pans and fires come to mind.

Flight attendants in their PPE waiting for passengers to board a flight in the UK. The Taoiseach ruled out easing of quarantine rules for British tourists coming here. Photo: Ben Queenborough/PinPep/TUI/PA Wire

Opening schools is more important than restarting foreign travel - Taoiseach insists

There will be no change in the quarantine rule for people travelling to Ireland from Britain, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has insisted.

Advice: Ex-minister Brendan Howlin has told the Taoiseach to base his case to the EU on the Brexit fallout. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Ireland risks losing out on EU Covid-19 economic aid deal under revised plans

Ireland is at risk of seriously losing out in the division of a post-coronavirus EU aid package worth €750m, the Taoiseach has been warned.

All smiles: Paschal Donohoe was rewarded with two big roles in 12 days. Photo: Gerry Mooney

John Downing Opinion The 'Euro bar' is set very high for Donohoe's new prestige position

'Gordon, in a marriage you don't admit strangers to the bedroom."

John Downing Opinion Donohoe successfully billed himself as a builder of bridges to win his new EU role

Paschal Donohoe's winning of the prestige job chairing Eurogroup finance ministers from the states that use the single currency was a victory for smaller EU countries over big.

Paschal Donohoe has been elected president of the Eurogroup
Photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

John Downing Opinion Paschal Donohoe’s winning of job chairing Eurogroup was a victory for smaller EU states over big

PASCHAL Donohoe’s winning of the prestige job chairing Eurogroup finance ministers from the states which use the single currency was a victory for smaller EU states over big.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe wins prestige job as chair of the Eurozone group of countries

Finance Minister, Paschal Donohoe, has landed the prestige job of chairing the “Eurogroup” of 19 finance ministers which use the EU single currency.

Minister Paschal Donohoe. Pic; Gerry Mooney

What does Paschal Donohoe's potential appointment to the Eurogroup mean for Ireland?

Finance Minister, Paschal Donohoe, will learn today whether he has landed the prestige job of chairing the “Eurogroup” of 19 finance ministers which use the EU single currency.

Agriculture Minister Barry Cowen apologised in the Dail for a ‘grave’ error of judgment (Niall Carson/PA)

John Downing Opinion I hate to be a bore - but Cowen still has big issues to resolve on this

Vastly less incoming fire yesterday. So, Fianna Fáil - and indeed its coalition colleagues - will hope the controversy about Barry Cowen's driving misadventures is finally limping out of the gate.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan (Caroline Quinn/PA)

John Downing Opinion Ryan shows an edge in first Green leadership debate

The Green Party is in Government after a huge members' debate - but its internal battles are still not quite done.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and TD Catherine Martin. Photo: Tom Burke

John Downing Opinion Greens debate: Eamon Ryan and Catherine Martin play a draw but party leader has the edge

THE Green Party is in Government after a huge members’ debate – but their internal battles are still not quite done.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin following the first cabinet meeting at Dublin Castle. Photo: Julien Behal/PA Wire

John Downing Opinion Hidden vestiges of 'old FF' emerge just days after its return to power

Little more than a week "back in town" but already up to its oxters in the wars, it's tempting to say "meet new Fianna Fáil - it's more than a bit like old Fianna Fáil". Today, Barry Cowen will once again publicly apologise, this time in the Dáil, following one of the most unequivocal and sincere public apologies delivered on RTÉ on Sunday.

Talking shop: Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, pictured in Malahide in 2018. Photo: Maxwells

John Downing Opinion As housing minister, O'Brien's performance will largely decide FF's fate in government

If Fianna Fáil is to face down its dreaded Sinn Féin threat, it will have to show real results on housing. So, enter Darragh O'Brien, the new Housing Minister who has a mega challenge ahead of him.

Allies: Micheál Martin’s Fianna Fáil is in the same EU political grouping as French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: Ludovic Marin /Pool via REUTERS

John Downing Opinion Taoiseach needs a result on three big EU issues at his first Brussels leaders' summit

Albert Reynolds emerged from the marathon talks with his eyes blazing: "Eight billion, Diggy, eight billion … tell that to the begrudgers. Now watch me put a government together," he announced.

Keeping his distance: Jim O’Callaghan could be hoping to remain aloof from any coalition failures. Pic Tom Burke

John Downing Opinion Jim may be a threat but he 'ain't no Haughey'

Let's play my new board game called "Spot the spurned backbencher". No, on second thoughts that's too tricky, given lockdown board-game traumas. It's too fraught to present such a crowded field for prospective players.

John Downing Opinion Partial and belated recompense to the regions was marred by two 'refuseniks'

So, how did Messrs Martin, Varadkar and Ryan do second time around? These junior ministry appointments were about fence-mending, with the regions by shaking off "Cromwell's shadow", and inside the three coalition parties where egos were bruised and supporters seriously riled up with disappointment.

Jack Chambers (FF) was among the list announced by the Taosieach this evening. Picture: Tom Burke

Explainer: Who are the new junior ministers and what jobs did they get?

THE new coalition government's line-up of junior ministers has been completed and Táoiseach Micheál Martin announced his full team tonight.

Chief Whip Dara Calleary arrives for the first Cabinet meeting at Dublin Castle. Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Junior ministers: Dara Calleary given sport and Gaeltacht role after cabinet snub

Fianna Fáil deputy Dara Calleary has been given a ministerial boost by being handed responsibility for Sport and the Gaeltacht.

John Downing Opinion A glance back at the list of previous chief whips reveals some big names, it might well stand to Calleary later

Bertie Ahern was driving his boss Charlie Haughey around his Dublin Central constituency in his battered red Ford Escort.

Tactical move: Phil Hogan has announced that he will not follow through on his initial intention to campaign for the role of World Trade Organisation head.
PHOTO: FERGAL PHILLIPS

John Downing Opinion Micheál Martin defies political gravity by losing three elections and being dubbed 'former future leader' to become Taoiseach

Imagine a keen student of politics trying to grasp the Micheál Martin riddle. He lost three consecutive general elections, in 2011, 2016 and 2020.