Burke hopes 'track record' secures his cabinet seat
Although he has been chosen represent the Irish government at the World Economic Forum in Davos today (Tuesday), Minister Peter Burke says he is taking nothing for granted when it comes to securing a place at the cabinet table in the new government.
It is widely expected that Deputy Burke will retain his place in the cabinet when Simon Harris announces his appointments tomorrow (Wednesday). There is some speculation, however, about what portfolio he will be given by the Fine Gael leader.
The Mullingar native has publicly stated that he would like to remain in the Department of Enterprise and build on the work he has done since his appointment last April. It is being reported in the national press that if Minister of Justice Helen McEntee is given the enterprise portfolio, Minister Burke could be moved to the newly expanded Department of Communications, Culture and Sport.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Minister Burke hoped his “track record will be looked upon when the decisions are made”.
“I was very clear in my commitment to the people at the election that I would retain a cabinet seat.
“I have always done my very best. It was the honour of my life to serve at cabinet, especially to represent the town of Mullingar. It was extra special because we had never attained a cabinet minister before that.
“I was very clear in my commitment to the people at the election that I would do my very best to retain a cabinet ministry for Mullingar. Obviously there is stiff competition.”
Minister Burke was appointed Minister for Enterprise last April. He feels that the department achieved a lot in a relatively short period of time and he would be happy to retain the portfolio.
“In my first couple of months we got an SME package through and businesses are going to see a VAT reduction coming through.
That was one of the key premises that I campaigned on when I was in government and trying to change things whereby the department was more focused on small businesses.
“We reduced the conditions attached to a lot of grants for SMEs from energy efficiency grants and digitalisation grants to help them diversify. We also have the third run of the Increase in the Cost of Business grants coming.
“In the last six to eight months, many businesses would have got around €14,000 in payments. I think we’ve done a fair bit in the time we’ve had – but it’s up to the party leader.”
Regarding the make-up of the new government, Minister Burke says new coalition should provide the stability needed to ensure it lasts five years.
“That’s what you need. The objective was to deliver a government for the people that would last five years, that would commit to five budgets so that we wouldn’t have constant speculation.
“Secondly there are so many potential shocks on the horizon between trade tensions and the uncertainty of the political landscape that you will need a government that can absorb a few shocks, that will come and will be challenging, be it by-elections or other events. You need that critical mass, and it delivers that.”
Minister Burke says that the new government will have a “progressive centrist approach” and “will bring a bit more common sense into the heart of politics”.