Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE RUMOURS STARTED over the weekend and the story goes that a tabloid newspaper was prepared to break the news this morning.
But by releasing a short but detailed statement last night, Michael Noonan got ahead of the story, ensuring he can get on with the important work of the Minister for Finance.
It was classic Noonan. Understated, clear, concise, no panic, no big speech, no extravagant adjectives – just all the information that was needed to confirm what had happened, what was done and what happens next.
Now, if everyone’s happy enough, Noonan appears more than willing to get on with the job for as long as the Taoiseach thinks he’s up to it. And indications are that Enda Kenny is well disposed to leaving his predecessor as Fine Gael leader in situ when he reshuffles the Cabinet next month.
The handling of the story is in contrast to that of Noonan’s predecessor Brian Lenihan. Yesterday’s revelation brought back memories of December 2009 when news of the Fianna Fáil TD’s cancer diagnosis became public. However, from the outset it was clear that the then-Finance Minister’s illness was more serious. And the way in which the news broke was much more distressing for him and his family.
In that case Lenihan’s diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in December 2009 involved a drip drip of information over the Christmas and New Year period that culminated in him making a personal statement on the morning of 4 January 2010 – over a week after the story was first broken by TV3′s Ursula Halligan in controversial circumstances on St Stephen’s Day.
The obvious concern for Lenihan, as well the controversy over how the story was reported, caused distraction from the serious economic issues facing the country at the time for more than seven days. Once Lenihan had commented, the story went away and his health was rarely, if ever, discussed again before he sadly passed in June 2011.
In Noonan’s case the prognosis appears to be better than it was for Lenihan.
The 71-year-old Fine Gael TD for Limerick City received five weeks of radiotherapy to shrink the cancerous tissue earlier this year and the sarcoma was removed last Wednesday before he was discharged from hospital three days later.
“My medical team believe the treatment has gone very well and are upbeat about the prognosis,” he said in a statement last night. “There is no damage to my shoulder muscle and my risk of recurrence is low.”
In acting quickly and decisively to respond to the speculation with a statement last night – and a press conference due later today – Noonan seized the initiative and will now focus on the significant body of work facing him in the months ahead.
These include finding a new secretary general for his department and the October Budget.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Cancer doesn’t care it you are
Black or white,
Rich or poor,
Or young or old….
Best of luck to you and all others who are fighting the big fight…
Well said
Are you head of his supporter’s club paddy :-)
Hugh why were my comments removed?
At end of the day your health is most important. Good luck to him in his fight
The manner in which Brian Lenihan and his family were treated by TV3 was nothing short of disgraceful. I would hate to think that the same was about to happen to Michael Noonan at the hands of a tabloid newspaper.
Hugh, some would say that the manner in which Brian Lenihan treated the Irish public was nothing short of disgraceful. I doubt that those who have had their medical cards removed from their sick children, as an indirect result of Lenihan’s capitulation to Europe would shed too many tears over a newspaper article.
Im actually shocked at this comment. These people are psychopaths that treat the electorate with disregard to put it nicely. I actually can’t believe you are trying to protect them. Open your eyes
Leave his private medical life to himself ffs.
People have to disclose their private lives to get the treatment they bee to stay alive. Maybe he can now empathise with the MS sufferers and how they have taken their medication off the free medical scheme.
There are others facing the reality of cancer every day and trying to come to terms with it.
I’m willing to bet noonan wasn’t left on a trolly or had to face huge waiting lists for treatment.
I empathize with him but he will be well looked after.
Cancer will effect one in three of us in some way.
What business is it of yours, mine or anyone else’s what standard of treatment he gets.
Well then why go to the media then if it’s his own business?
Well if doesn’t turn up for work in the next few weeks people will be asking why.
Bet he won’t be waiting for treatments like the rest of us
“Seized the initiative”.. went public when the media were about to.
I hope his medical card wasn’t cancelled for some reason. It would seem unreasonable to cancel a card on someone with a serious medical condition….
And still he made it onto the Tarmac to meet Donald. Is it fair, when so many are suffering with cancer that he plays down the heavy toll it that’s on family’s. Noonan Family must be worried sick that the stress of office could hinder recovery. if he feels he can contuine then it must be on medicinal grounds but with the stress test of our banks. His head of dept leaving and a possible property bubble forming should he have the finial say. for that matter show we be worried about the physical and mental health of all TD. Should a medicinal not be compulsory before taking their seats in Dáil Éireann. asking for drug tests and breath samples before voting on legislation maybe going a bit far but leaving control in so few hands and if some where compromised due to drink or mental ability. Could that legislation they voted on not be open to question due to their state of mind.
Excellent!
What’s excellent about that drivel, you must be easily pleased, such asinine posts.
Pass the puke bucket ,please ! It’s a private matter and he’s just another human being ,fighting a battle !
I can’t believe he still has his snout at the trough at 71. There should be a mandatory retirement age for them exactly like for everybody else.
taking leaders questions and according to media reports its opportunity to congratulate him on his fight with cancer……..not a mention of the 800 babies buried in septic tank
I do not really get how this article is an analysis or even why an analysis is required. It’s more of a ‘noonan is a great fella altogether for getting ahead of the ball with this cancer and getting on with the job,’ type of personal opinion.
mike how is Bill
have your say