A Mayo ministry?

EXPECTING A CALL? Dara Calleary is pictured here with New Taoiseach Brian Cowen in the Ballina Chamber of Commerce ahead of last year’s election. Pic: John O’Grady

Will Taoiseach Brian Cowen deal Mayo a Junior ministry?

Anna-Marie Flynn and Áine Ryan

SPECULATION is rife that Mayo will be in line for one Junior Ministry when the Taoiseach Brian Cowen deals his cards later today (Tuesday).
Hopes are high that the newly-elected Taoiseach will promote one of the two Fianna Fáil TDs, after former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern failed to look on Mayo favourably last summer.
Speaking to The Mayo News yesterday, Deputy Dara Calleary said he was not in any position to pre-empt what the new Government leader would do.
“This is a matter for the Taoiseach, just as it was for Bertie Ahern last year. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on it. The selection of Junior Ministers is solely up to Taoiseach Brian Cowen.”
He said that the leader is remaining tight-lipped about his ministerial choices, just as he did last week when announcing his cabinet. “The Taoiseach did not tell anyone of his intentions last week and I am sure it will be the same this week. I don’t expect him to say anything ahead of his announcement. We will just have to wait and see.”
Meanwhile, recently re-admitted Deputy Beverley Flynn told The Mayo News last night that she would respect whatever decisions the Taoiseach makes.
“Every TD would love the opportunity to serve as a minister but it is the prerogative of the Taoiseach to select his team. Of course, I would be honoured if I was chosen now, or at a time in the future for such a job,” said Deputy Flynn.
She observed that if it was her colleague, Deputy Calleary that was promoted she would respect that decision, just as she believed Deputy Calleary would respect the reverse situation.
It is thought that Ministers that have remained in the junior ranks for several terms could now find themselves demoted to the backbenches in the second-tier shake up.
Should he continue on his radical reign, after a precedent of promoting fresh blood into the cabinet, it is thought the Taoiseach will opt for fresh faces in the lower ranks. Alternatively, should he make a more conservative move, Cowen could make five changes as a result of two vacancies created by last week’s new cabinet announcement. A possible demotion of up to three long-term junior ministers would then be in the pipeline.