For the friends of the German language

[Arneb]

The philosopher Odo Marquardt named this as one of the strengths of open societies vs. dictatorial systems: Inkompetenzkompensationskompetenz.
Yes, it was joke. But he was right, right?

[Richard A]

Love it! Though I didn't know that the German word Kompetenz has both the meanings of its English counterpart. As Ireland (and apparently Cyprus) mean that English is still an official EU language, the phrase "competent authority" continues to exist - with seemingly no trace of irony!

[Arneb]

The nice thing is that you don't have to specify which of the two meanings is meant, because in open sociteties, there is both the capability and the authority to compensate for incompetence.

Out current Chancellor, also in irony, brought this to the top when she said that her office conferred Kompetenzkopmpetenz - the authority to lend authority, eg in designing which ministries govern which parts of the administration or which minister is tasked with which problem.