Inside the Room: The Untold Story of Ireland's Crisis Government

by Eamon Gilmore

March 2011, in Ireland: Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore have just formed a coalition government between Fine Gael and Labour Party. Ireland's banks are broken, unemployment is heading toward half a million, the public finances are in serious deficit, international lenders rate Ireland as 'junk,' and the country is in an IMF bailout. As Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) in the new Coalition, Eamon Gilmore was at the heart of every major economic decision taken during his term, and, as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, he was primarily responsible for restoring Ireland's international reputation and trade connections. In this extraordinary political memoir of those turbulent times, Eamon Gilmore writes frankly about the political price the Labour Party has paid for some of their choices. He reflects on the circumstances that led to his own resignation and assesses the prospects for Ireland's continued recovery, including the risks which could yet blow Ireland's and Europe's economies off course. *** Librarians: ebook available [Subject: Memoir, Irish Studies, Politics, Contemporary History]

350 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Orlaith Mannion · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit disappointing. No real insights except that Joan Burton fired him unceremoniously. Maybe it was too soon after the crisis but it read like an out-of-body experience for the author rather than somebody who was actually in the room.

[Paul McCormack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for everyone but I really like these type of books about 5 years after they are written

[Ronan Doyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggled to see the point in this from any personal or political sense: as an after-the-fall apologia it's just nakedly evasive on Labour's most glaring failings; as a behind-the-scenes tell-all, never not lifelessly chaste. And the writing, rife with exclamation marks as if to counteract the rising sense that Gilmore is wholly devoid of a pulse, is dire.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

With an election this week, it looks as though the Labour party will be severely punished by the electorate for the austerity introduced over a number of budgets. Eamonn Gilmore rightly points out the work that his party did manage to achieve.

However, there is no personality in this book. Nothing about how his wife got on while he was away on official business, nothing about his relationship with his children, nothing about how he coped with the workload.

[Brendan Crowley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read because if it so timely. Could be summed up in one sentence - labour made sure Fine Gaels natural right wing tendencies were diluted and going into government was a necessary evil to protect the worse off. It is Gilmore making his case for when current government are judged.