Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrat TDs have begun to shape up for the battle for top appointments at the Cabinet table and elsewhere, even though negotiations about a coalition deal have yet to begin.
The possible promotion favourites include Fianna Fáil's Dún Laoghaire TD, Ms Mary Hanafin; Galway West's Mr Éamon Ó Cuiv; Dublin South East's Mr Eoin Ryan, Waterford's Martin Cullen, Dublin West's Mr Brian Lenihan and Limerick East's Mr Willie O'Dea.
Most politicians believed the Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, is in a line for a full Cabinet post for his work in keeping the pro-Government Independents on side in the last Dáil.
So far, however, there have been few hints from the Taoiseach about the scale of the changes he is prepared to make once the 29th Dáil elects him on June 6th.
Before the election, he made it clear that there would have to be some new faces, though he would be wary of repeating Mr Albert Reynolds's "Night of the Long Knives" in 1992, when eight ministers were replaced.
In addition, the Progressive Democrats' demands are not yet clear, though Fianna Fáil TDs yesterday believed they are unlikely to accept less than two full Cabinet positions.
Following the defeat of Fianna Fáil's deputy leader, Ms Mary O'Rourke, the Taoiseach has one Cabinet vacancy already and could create another if he moves a current senior minister to the Ceann Comhairle's job.
Currently occupied by Labour TD Mr Seamus Pattison, the Ceann Comhairle position carries a full ministerial salary and a State car, and some international duties, but no real political power.
Early speculation centres on the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, aged 62, and the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, who is 59, though a less likely candidate could be the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Ms de Valera.
If picked, the selection of Mr Smith would ensure that Fianna Fáil should hold two seats in Tipperary North for the next two terms since he would be automatically re-elected, though his age raises a question about this theory.
Although he performed well in Defence, particularly with the Army deafness crisis, Mr Smith was not selected for Mr Ahern's first Cabinet line-up in 1997. Instead, he joined only after Mr Ray Burke's resignation.
The election of Mr Walsh's running mate, Senator Denis O'Donovan in Cork South West should help to secure Mr Walsh's position, along with his handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis last year.
However, Mr Walsh, in the view of some Fianna Fáil sources, did little to aid Senator O'Donovan's campaign.
"O'Donovan was elected despite, not because of Joe Walsh," one told The Irish Times.
Few TDs spoken to yesterday believed the 67-year-old Minister for Education, Dr Woods, would be reappointed to a senior position by Mr Ahern.
"Bertie Ahern owes him nothing, he has had his run," said one TD coldly.
Such comments are likely to become more common over the next fortnight as politicians angle for elevation.
In the outgoing administration, the Progressive Democrats' leader, Ms Harney, held the Trade, Enterprise and Employment portfolio, while Mr Bobby Molloy had a "super junior" post which gave him access to Cabinet meetings.
In addition, Dublin South TD Ms Liz O'Donnell held the Minister of State's post at the Department of Foreign Affairs, while Mr Michael McDowell became Attorney General in 1999.
During an interview with RTÉ's Today with Pat Kenny, the former Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke indicated that she could become the next Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.
She said she had spoken to the Taoiseach following her defeat in Westmeath to her running mate, Mr Donie Cassidy.
He had, she said, been keen for her to remain active in public life.
