‘Shock and awe’ as Bertie wields axe

Date Published: 21-Jun-2007

There was ‘shock and awe’ in the ranks of Fianna Fail in County Galway last night as Taoiseach Bertie Ahern fired two of his most experienced Junior Ministers – Frank Fahey (Galway West) and Noel Treacy (Galway East).

Between them they had more than thirty years service as ministers …. but it is understood that Mr. Ahern told them he wanted new blood, they had a good innings, and he wanted to give a chance to younger people.

Both may have had suspicions for some days as the phone calls failed to come with any good news, but the general reaction in Galway FF was one of shock that the two Galway ministers should both be axed.

Meanwhile, there was celebration in the Kitt camp in East Galway – as Micheál Kitt TD, a member of the Oireachtas since 1975, with
only one brief spell as a Junior Minister years ago, was promoted to Minister for State with responsibility for Overseas Development.