Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Dermot Ahern

Track record

The Louth TD is a competent and solid worker who has generally been a safe pair of hands in his ministry. While he lacks passion for the portfolio, he compensates with general competence and political nous. A down-to-earth and amenable character, he is a prominent Fianna Fáil spokesman and has devoted a good deal of his energy to representing the party on general political issues beyond his personal brief.

Main achievement

Ahern has determinedly improved the lot of pensioners during his tenure, through Budget increases and the Pensions Bill, which aimed to ensure that all older people have an adequate income. He is also credited with following through on the National Anti-Poverty Strategy, a revised version of which was launched recently, and ensuring the delivery of commitments in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, including positive discrimination in favour of the elderly.

Biggest failure

It is hard to pinpoint a particular issue on which Ahern has failed. As a Minister helping the less well-off in a healthy economic climate, there have been no particular controversies. However, critics say that while Ahern has sympathy for the pensioners, he has not championed other excluded groups such as the long-term unemployed. His biggest failure, then, could be described as his lack of "vision" for social policies that tackle inequities in society.

Prospects

As a hard constituency worker who was elected on the first count last time out, he is sure to hold his seat. He is also likely to secure a Cabinet position in another Fianna Fáil-led administration, though exactly which one remains unclear. He has expressed an interest in Foreign Affairs. Other possible portfolios for someone of his surefootedness and intelligence could include transport, environment or public enterprise. There is speculation that he may move to the Department of Justice.

Nuala Haughey, Social and Racial Affairs Correspondent

OPPOSITION PERFORMANCE

Fine Gael

Brian Hayes

A man to watch in Fine Gael and a possible future leader. Sheer hard work secured him a seat in Dublin South-West, and he took to his Dáil spokesmanship with energy. He sometimes adopts a persona which seems older than his years, but he is no less effective for that.

Frances Fitzgerald, spokeswoman on equality, opportunity and family affairs, is active and articulate. Her Dáil work has included moving a private member's Bill enshrining in law the rights of around 350,000 disabled people; the Government said the Bill was too narrow.

Labour

Tommy Broughan

As a traditional Dublin Labour TD, he has a good grasp of his brief and is mindful of his Dublin North-East constituents. Ruairí Quinn brought him in from the political cold and Broughan will be competing with a number of other Dublin Labour deputies for a ministerial post if the party gets into government.

M. O'R.