Fianna Fáil is alive and well, according to its youth wing. Bertie Ahern is a first-class leader and Ministers such as Brian Cowen, John O'Donoghue and Mary Hanafin are performing particularly well, writes Michael O'Regan in Ennis
That was the message from the delegates at the Ógra Fianna Fáil gathering in Ennis, Co Clare, at the weekend.
Perhaps because it is a generation that has known nothing other than the Celtic Tiger, or that Fianna Fáil has been in government since 1997, but this group of party activists are upbeat and optimistic.
A survey of delegates revealed that while there are some minor reservations about the performance of Fianna Fáil in office, everything is glowing in the political garden. In particular, Mr Ahern is regarded as their best and brightest as party leader.
Clare boasts the youngest county councillor in the State: Cathal Crowe (23) was elected in the last local elections.
On the controversy surrounding the future ministerial career of Síle de Valera, he took the Taoiseach's line. He said Clare was delighted to have two junior ministers, Ms de Valera and Tony Killeen. "Síle has had a long and successful political career. We wish her the best in her retirement. I think that Síle should hold her ministerial position for the moment, but there might be a rethink on it in the run-up to the general election."
Fianna Fáil was in a healthy state, he said.
"We have a very early run-in to a general election. I suppose you could attribute that to the Opposition's hunger to turn around the 1997 success. We are more than up to the challenge here in Clare and across the whole country. Things have never been better in Ireland."
Anthony Kelly, from Killarney, Co Kerry, was elected vice-chairman of Ógra after a strong campaign. Studying for his doctorate in UCC, Mr Kelly plans to extend Ógra to Northern Ireland during his term of office. "There is no alternative in power to Fianna Fáil," he told journalists after his election.
"I would hope to extend Ógra membership to the North, beginning in the third-level colleges. I visualise Ireland becoming a 32-county republic and Fianna Fáil will be there as we always are."
Pierce O'Leary, Dublin Mid West, thought the party was not doing too well in Dublin. "I think we will have a tough fight to hold seats in Dublin at the next election. The tide is against us on a number of issues such as traffic, which is a major issue. The health services and childcare are major issues, although we are trying to address them."
He added that Bertie Ahern had been a "fantastic leader" over the past 10 years. "People would question how the junior ministerial vacancy was handled, but that was one isolated incident."
Matthew Scanlon, from Ballymote, Sligo, said: "Sligo-North Leitrim Ógra would be impressed by the Government. I am very impressed by the Taoiseach. For young people, the cost of motor insurance is now a big issue politicians have to address."
Galway East delegates Martin Gormley and Ray Cunniffe were also impressed by the Taoiseach's leadership. Mr Gormley said the Government had gone through a bad patch last year but was now working better.
"I think the budget brought them back in the polls, but it is true that the controversy over the junior ministry vacancy has not helped matters. It has sent out the wrong message. Bertie is doing okay, he has a lot of stuff to deal with. Ministers are doing reasonably well, with the exception of one or two."
Mr Cunniffe said the poor local elections results were a wake-up call for the party. "There is a big push within the organisation to hold seats and get the right candidates. There are areas within the Cabinet that need to be looked at, but I think the Ministers are doing well. Brian Cowen is excellent. Bertie is a very good politician, and he has a likeable quality. He is great at events like this."
Linda Gormley, Galway, said: "The Government is doing well, and the Opposition cannot do any better.
Her friend, Emer Quinn, said: "The Government is in its second term, and that is an achievement in itself. The money spent on electronic voting was a genuine mistake ... The Government has done many other good things, and it all balances out."
Davinia Kingston, from west Cork and a student in UCC, praised Mary Hanafin's role in education.
"She took the question of the restoration of third-level fees off the agenda. Brian Cowen announced funding for a fourth level in universities, which is essential because of the labour market."