FIANNA FÁIL TDs expect that the Taoiseach will make significant changes among his Minister of State ranks when the appointments are made tomorrow.
Expectations have been heightened by his decision to promote Dún Laoghaire TD Barry Andrews to be Minster of State for Children, a job that brings with it a place at Cabinet. The appointments are understood to be on the agenda for Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, although those facing the sack will be told of their fate tonight.
So far, Brian Cowen has kept his own counsel, but it is believed that he will opt to cut considerably the average age of Ministers of State, and to amend the strict promotion hierarchy adopted by his predecessor, Bertie Ahern.
“He is not likely to have a situation where the average Minister of State is older than the new Cabinet,” said one Minister of State last night.
Limerick TD Peter Power, who chaired an Oireachtas committee on child sex abuse, could benefit, particularly since Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea was not given a higher Cabinet portfolio.
Donegal North East’s Niall Blaney, who attended the celebrations in Offaly for Mr Cowen’s promotion, is also expected to be promoted, in a move that would seal the end of the 30-year rift between Fianna Fáil and the Blaney clan.
Limerick TD John Cregan, Laois–Offaly TD John Moloney and Roscommon–South Leitrim’s Michael Finneran – all of whom are close to Mr Cowen – are among those tipped by colleagues for preferment.
Dublin Mid-West TD John Curran, who is Deputy Government Chief Whip, is another speculated about, while Mr Cowen is also likely to give some attention to boosting the party’s profile on the northside of Dublin.
Because of last week’s promotions for Pat Carey, Brendan Smith and Batt O’Keeffe, Mr Cowen already has three vacancies to fill. However, long-serving Ministers of State, such as Michael Ahern and Pat “The Cope” Gallagher, could face demotion. Promotions for Mr Cregan, Mr Finneran and Mr Moloney, who all chair Oireachtas committees, could offer Cowen consolation prizes for those who lose out tomorrow, since demoted junior ministers could be given these €20,000-a-year posts.
Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Noel Ahern – brother of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern – is expected to survive. The position of Mr Gallagher, one of the longest-serving juniors, has been weakened because of constituency running mate Mary Coughlan’s elevation to Tánaiste.
Minister of State for Health and Children, Sligo–North Leitrim’s Jimmy Devins, is under considerable threat. He has been vocal in his opposition to the Government’s plans to concentrate cancer care in eight centres.
Minister of State for Overseas Development Michael Kitt, who also attended the Offaly celebrations, is also expected to survive, particularly given Mr Cowen’s decision to sack his brother Tom as Government Chief Whip.
