Sunday and other stupid statements from this week

guestposter

March 31

Away this weekend but as always all examples and contributions welcome. Though there was this during the week:

Simon Harris's rapid ascent to leader of Fine Gael has been like a reprise of the opening episode of Netflix political drama Designated Survivor. In the series, a lowly minister played by Kiefer Sutherland is catapulted into the Oval Office after a devastating attack on Washington kills the president and every key official in his administration.

All other contenders for the post are dead – the Sutherland character is the only possible replacement and reluctantly accepts greatness thrust on him in the interests of continuity and political stability.

Though that comparison surely isn't quite right? Sutherland wasn't ready and waiting to become President whereas few would suggest that Simon Harris was unprepared for the eventuality.

And how about this - the part-architect of the crash stating the bleeding obvious about what the role of Taoiseach entails and some advice too.

Meanwhile, Mr Ahern also took time out from today's ceremony to give some hard earned advice to the newly appointed Taoiseach-designate Simon Harris.

Describing the job as "tough" and a "seven day a week" role, he said: "You have to be at it, consistently, every single day. The day you drop your guard.. it's going to be difficult."

Speaking about the loneliness of the job, Mr Ahern said "You have great colleagues in politics but the one thing you learn is that, when it's good news, they're all there to announce it. When it's bad news, you are usually on your own. And that's how it is. It's amazing how people hide."

On the possibility of an impending cabinet reshuffle by Mr Harris, Mr Ahern said: "If I was him I wouldn't shuffle too much. It's dangerous."

And how about this from someone who has been very critical of supposed Irish criticism of Britain and the British: