Mr Joe Walsh has taken the sensible course of action by resigning as Minister for Agriculture and Food before the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, found it necessary to dismiss him as part of a comprehensive Cabinet reshuffle. The West Cork TD announced the time had come to make way for a younger minister and that he will leave politics at the next general election.
In accepting his resignation, the Taoiseach paid tribute to his achievements and said he had made a unique contribution to rural Ireland and to the restructuring and modernisation of Irish agriculture.
At the age of 61 years, Mr Walsh has served 15 years at the Department of Agriculture and Food, 10 of them at Cabinet level. A former dairy manager, he understood the needs of farmers and of agribusiness and he delivered primarily for those interests, rather than for the consumer. He presided over fundamental change, most recently in relation to the Common Agricultural Policy and the introduction of direct subventions for farmers. His handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis was exemplary. But, as consumer demands moved up the political agenda, the need for a younger, more energetic policy-maker became apparent.
Mr Walsh has denied his resignation was forced and said he informed Mr Ahern he would consider his position following Ireland's EU presidency. In doing that, however, he was recognising an unpalatable reality. The appointment of Mr Charlie McCreevy as Ireland's commissioner in the EU had set the tone. Mr McCreevy had strenuously resisted a transfer to Brussels but, when his wishes were rebuffed by the Taoiseach, he accepted the nomination with some grace. Mr Walsh had wanted that EU position in the hope, some said, of securing an agriculture portfolio. But the demands of Government and the need for a comprehensive shake-up of Cabinet positions have taken precedence. Speculation now focuses on the future of the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, who along with Mr Walsh was due to be dropped from Cabinet in 2002. At that time, they secured a reprieve following representations made to Mr Ahern by Mr McCreevy. Other Ministers may also be demoted this time around.
At this point there is no doubting the Taoiseach's determination to reshape and reinvigorate his Government in preparation for the coming general election. Long before Fianna Fail suffered a serious defeat in the June local elections, the Taoiseach had promised a major reshuffle of Ministers. Having failed to deliver on a similar promise in 2002, it will be Mr Ahern's last chance to convince his backbenchers that hard work, intelligence and loyalty are recognised and rewarded.