The end of 2008 brought the usual reviews of the year from the political correspondents of the national press. Joan Burton got many honourable mentions in these reviews for her contributions in Dáil Eireann from these correspondents.

In May 2008 Joan was given the prestigious Politican of the Year title at the annual Magill magazine Awards ceremony.

Praise from an unexpected quarter came in September after the dramatic all night Dail debate on the bank bail out. On the Pat Kenny radio show FF TD Mary O’Rourke singled out Joan’s contribution:

“ I thought she was terrific. She was making her argument strongly and with determination in a man’s world, a man’s world of finance. I sat back and said to myself , Fair dues to You, Joan.”

In the end of year reviews 2008, Joan was named Best Opposition Spokesperson by the Sunday Independent while the Sunday Tribune’s Business Editor highlighted her particularly strong contribution to the unfolding economic and banking crises.