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THE CELTIC CONNECTION • OCTOBER 1992
I am ?Sick and Tired of Inquiries1 Says EC Agricultural Commissioner
By LIAM FERRIE
IRELAND — EC Agricultural Commissioner Ray MacSharry caused a bit of a stir when he was interviewed on local radio in Sligo.
Mr. MacSharry was here on holiday and took the opportunity to say that he was "sick and tired of tribunals, investigations and inquiries." He contends that, as a nation, we are deeply suspicious of anyone who makes money while we depend on these same people to create jobs.
He believes that all the allegations being made public at the Beef Tribunal are causing serious damage to our reputation abroad. Any wrongdoing could be dealt with by the gardai and the courts. His views were sup-
Forted by some members of ianna Fail, while spokespersons for Fine Gael, Labour and the Democratic Left were very critical of his remarks.
MacSharry said he will retire
from public life when his four-year term as EC Agricultural Commissioner ends in January. This news became the top story as TV bulletins reviewed his 25-year political career and politicians and other commentators paid tribute to him.
Listening to RTE radio's "This Week" program, we could have been forgiven for thinking the man was dead, as it sounded like an obituary. Mr. MacSharry is considered our most effective Commissioner to date and it was interesting to hear farm leaders express concern over his imminent departure.
One review said he confounded his critics by becoming the most influential EC Commissioner despite an extremely difficult portfolio. It was also said that he did not join in the Brussels scene but tended to spend his weekends at home in Sligo.
Mr. MacSharry was first elected to the Dail in 1969 and ap-
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pointed Minister for Agriculture ten years later, although he held a junior ministry for a period. He twice held the Finance portfolio and was also Tanaiste when he left to go to Brussels. It is he who is credited with ending the rapid growth in the national debt.
Speculation has begun over who will succeed him as our EC commissioner. Padraig Flynn and Maire Geoghegan-Quinn are considered favourites. The former has said he would be delighted to take on the job but the latter refuses to be drawn out on the subject. Gerry Collins has also said he would be pre-
Bared to accept such a challenge, 'r. Michael Woods and Gerry Collins also said they are prepared to accept the £120,000 (after tax) salary plus expenses.
Farmers fear that MacSharry's successor as EC Comimssioner for Agriculture will have less understanding of the needs of the small family farm.
WhenMacSharry introduced his CAP reform package, he faced a torrent of abuse from Irish farm leaders and, The Irish Times reminds us that one farmer, when interviewed on television, accused him of succeeding where Cromwell failed.
Super-Agency for Development
DUBLIN — The Irish Times got it right when it forecast the formation of a new "super agency" for industrial development.
At a recent news conference, the Minister for Industry and Commerce, Des O'Malley announced the integration of the IDA, an Bord Trachtala, parts of Eolas, and parts of FAS. The new agency will have two divisions.
IDA Ireland will be responsible for attracting overseas investment, while the other division will help to develop Irish-owned industry.
The Culliton Report recommended the setting up of two independent agencies to replace the IDA and the PD's are known to support the Report in its entirety. — Liam Ferrie
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