Ring for the top table?

Áine Ryan

AS speculation continues about who will be promoted to the new Taoiseach’s cabinet, Mayo’s Minister for State, Michael Ring is widely viewed as ‘a dead cert’, by all accounts. His loyalty to Leo Varadkar during the recent two-way battle for leadership of the Fine Gael party, as well as an already good working relationship when Ring was a junior minister at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, will likely bring rewards. Moreover, Ring’s grassroots appeal will benefit the fact that Varadkar wasn’t as popular on the ground as Simon Coveney, according to the breakdown of party votes.  
“Michael Ring is worthy of full ministerial promotion by virtue of his work ethic, his loyalty and his delivery. He is not afraid to voice the opinions of those whom he serves on the national stage at every opportunity. He is a true messenger of the people, a loyal colleague and a committed member of the Fine Gael party,” said Westport-based Fine Gael Cllr Tereasa McGuire.  
Whether Ring is among a plethora of those promoted and demoted appears to be a matter of speculation until the incoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announces his new Cabinet tomorrow (Wednesday). However, The Irish Times’s political correspondent, Harry McGee stated in yesterday’s edition that only two ministers will be promoted.
 “Sources close to the Fine Gael leader said yesterday that Mr Varadkar gave assurances to Ministers who supported his leadership candidacy they would not be demoted. It is also certain that his rival for leadership Simon Coveney and his sole Cabinet supporter, Simon Harris, will be retained as senior Ministers,” McGee wrote.
He continued: “The two vacancies – left by departing Taoiseach Enda Kenny and retiring Minister for Finance Michael Noonan – will be filled by Mr Varadkar’s campaign manager, Eoghan Murphy, and by Mayo TD Michael Ring, sources said.”