Roscommon/South Leitrim Fianna Fáil TD Michael Finneran has welcomed the official appointment of An Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Mr Brian Cowen TD, as the Fianna Fáil party leader designate. Deputy Finneran said: ‘Brian Cowen is someone whose experience, intellect, skill and judgement make him perfectly equipped to take on the challenge of the role of Taoiseach. ‘He has a wealth of both domestic and international political experience from his full Ministerial career, which has included time in Foreign Affairs, Health, Labour, and Transport among other areas.’ ‘He has a loyal and close working relationship with the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD. ‘He has achieved so much in his career to date. He was first appointed to the Cabinet in 1992 when he was made Minister for Labour and since then he has developed and honed his managerial competence, leadership skills and effective decision making and judgement in various Departments. ‘In particular I personally recall how when Minister for Health and Children, he introduced the ‘Cowen Package’ for people with an intellectual disabilities. He then added to this with more resources in his first Budget as Minister for Finance. ‘During his time in that Department he also resolved the on standing problem at Roscommon County Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department. ‘An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been very successful in keeping the party united during his 11 years at the helm, and I know that Fianna Fáil will stay strongly united behind Brian Cowen when he takes the position of Taoiseach on May 7,’ concluded Deputy Finneran.
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