February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Walsh stepped down Friday, just two years after being reappointed to the agriculture portfolio. Walsh, who had 10 years of cabinet experience, was widely respected by the Irish agricultural industry. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern paid tribute to him and, in particular, praised the actions he took to divert disaster during 2001’s foot-and-mouth crisis.
Walsh’s decision to resign comes weeks before Ahern’s planned reshuffle in September.
Attention has now turned to Smith’s future. He and Walsh were surprise cabinet nominees following the Dail election in 2002. It was thought at the time that intensive lobbying had taken place in the days before the cabinet announcement to ensure the two men retained their seats.
Walsh and Smith were thought to have been given last-minute reprieves following the intervention of then Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy and Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen.
However, it was widely presumed that neither would see out a full term on the cabinet and would be replaced in a mid-term reshuffle. Political observers claim that Ahern informed Smith and Walsh at the time that they would not be fighting the next Dail election as cabinet members.
Walsh has denied that his resignation was prompted by internal party pressures.
“I formally told the taoiseach a couple of weeks ago about my decision, and I spoke to him this morning to tell him I was going to make this formal announcement,” he said. “I have always held the view that there is a time for change, and that point has now been reached. This will facilitate the appointment of a new minister to take on the crucial task of stewardship of the agriculture and agri-food sector in the new era now opening up before it.”
It is thought that Fianna Fail backbenchers will urge Ahern in the coming days to live up to his reshuffle promise with regard to Smith.
Several junior ministers and backbenchers are thought to be increasingly impatient with Ahern. Dublin South West TD Conor Lenihan last week said he believed the government needed major changes.
Smith has indicated that he has no intention of making way before September and is believed to be interested in the agriculture job Walsh has left. Reports in recent days have tipped Smith to stay on the cabinet and have suggested that Transport Minister Seamus Brennan and Education minister Noel Dempsey may be in danger of losing their places.