McCreevy urges successor not to ditch economic policy
Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy warned today that his successor must not abandon his economic policy.
Speaking the day after he accepted his nomination to the European Commission, Mr McCreevy said his seven years as Finance Minister had been good for the economy.
“No sensible sane person would throw that approach out. I’ve no doubt that the incoming Minister for Finance and the new Government that will be formed in the early autumn will follow those policies.”
Mr McCreevy said he had been considering the post of commissioner since last summer but had second thoughts at one stage. He accepted it yesterday in a phone call to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who he said he had a good personal relationship with.
“I think it is the right thing for everyone. I think it is the right thing for the party and I hope it is the right thing for me.”
Mr McCreevy denied he was leaving the job as a result of pressure from dissatisfied Fianna Fáil backbenchers.
“I know the concerns of backbenchers but if governments were to be making decisions solely for their own supporters and what their own cumann organisation would want, you’d get nothing ever done.
“I think the backbenchers are concerned like every politician is about his or her seat.”
Mr McCreevy said he was satisfied with his time as Finance Minister.
“I certainly have always aimed in the years I’ve been Minister to do what I consider the right thing.
“I don’t expect people to agree with all the decisions I made. I have never asked anyone to agree with the social or economic philosophy I have espoused but it has been a coherent approach to a set of problems.
“You do what you think is the best thing to do and if it works you go ahead with it.”
