SOUTH Kerry Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin has insisted that there is an urgent need for a cabinet reshuffle following the less than impressive election performance by the coalition parties.
With both Fine Gael and Labour well off the pace in the two by-elections and results not what they might have been in the European and local polls, Deputy Griffin said there is a need to shake things up at the top before the Dáil adjourns for the Summer recess.
“There are a lot of tired legs there and it’s time for people to come off the bench,” he said at the count centre in Killarney.
Deputy Griffin said there is a considerable amount of talent in both parties and it should be utilised more by party leaders Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore.
“It’s time for fresh ideas and time for a new approach. We have to sit up and listen to the people,” he said.
The FG backbencher said a more proactive approach is needed in terms of dealing with the national finances and new policies, along the lines of the introduction of a nine per cent VAT rate on tourism products, were required.
