The future Boss?

Simon has a post on Irish Election detailing the list of Bertie Ahern mates who gave him a hand out with a few thousand quid on a "sure pay it back when ever you like" basis. I don't know if it'll see an end to Bertie but the bloggers are on the case so lets see who gets to any dirt first, them or the professional media.

I'm not sure if I think it's a good idea to get rid of Bertie. I mean who would replace him?

• Dermot Ahern? Minister for Foreign Affairs. Probably a finance ministry short of a chance.

• Séamus Brennan? Minister for Social and Family Affairs. If you kill a Don you cant become a Don and he'll be first in line to plunge the knife in Berties back.

• Mary Coughlan? Minister for Agriculture and Food. I don't mean to be sexist, but Fianna Fail is, just look at the list of TDs. Too inexperienced anyway.

• Brian Cowan? Minister for Finance. Probably has the best chance of everyone but will make Gordon Browne in the UK look like James Bond.

• Martin Cullen? Minister for Transport. Will issue a press release announcing he has already been appointed leader. Everyone will ignore him.

• Noel Dempsey? Minister for Communications, Marine and natural Resources. Could apply for the job, but the email will get lost.

• Mary Hanafin? Minister for Education and Science. See Mary Coughlan. Seriously, I keep getting the two of them mixed up.

• Micheál Martin? Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. One for the future, but not yet.

• Eamon Ó Cuív? Minister for Community, Rural, and Gaeltacht Affairs. Dev is dead, lets leave him there.

• Willie O'Dea? Minister for Defence. Even he would laugh at the idea.

• John O'Donoghue? Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. Best he can hope for is a place in the quaterfinals.

• Dick Roche? Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government. On a road to no where called the M3.