Cowen is a Solictor from a small business (Auctioneering and Publican) and political family background. My father knew his father as a local representative and backbench TD (MP). Nothing in his background or training would have prepared him to understand the intricacies of international finance and banking that he needed to understand on become Finance Minister.  

As such he just joined the standard Irish tradition of doling out the taxpayers largesse to favoured groups and causes - with a slight break on the tax cutting predilections of his predecessor. Most Irish parliamentary politicians come from a political family, legal, small business, auctioneering, Publican or sporting background - all professions which help to build a personal profile in local communities but which do nothing to build a skill-set capable of running a modern state (or large business) in a global economy/financiality.

As such the Irish political class was always dependent on a competent senior civil service cadre - something which has also been sorely lacking in recent times.

Index of Frank's Diaries