Tony O’Brien: Coalition’s success hinges on health, and on budget support for Donnelly

The politics of the budget and the 2021 funding allocation for health will make or break Stephen Donnelly’s tenure as Minister for Health

Stephen Donnelly, the Minister for Health, may not automatically enjoy the tribal support of his own party but the government can only be successful in terms of the health crisis if Donnelly is supported. Photo: Julien Behal/RollingNews.ie

The real test of the coalition’s capacity to deliver for the Irish people will not be found in the chaos and Gubu-esque goings-on of its squandered honeymoon period.

Assuming that Norma Foley, the Minister for Education, can navigate the “calculated grades” landmines of this week, and in doing so put the summer to bed, this coalition will have a chance to set its own agenda and show both its strategic intent and true mettle on ...