The formation of a new government under Leo Varadkar tomorrow is expected to result in just the minimal Cabinet changes.
However, according to the Irish Times, Minister for Agriculture and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, is expected to retain his portfolio.
The Inishowen TD was third choice for the agriculture job – only being appointed after the brief tenures of Barry Cowen and Dara Calleary.
“However, he has grasped the opportunity with enthusiasm, listening to farmers at marts the length and breadth of the country and taking their views to Dublin and Brussels as the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was formed,” the newspaper reported earlier today.
At constituency level, they added, McConalogue was under pressure to deliver a generous redress scheme for Donegal homeowners whose properties are damaged by mica.
“He has backed the Government’s scheme, highlighting how the level of support on offer will be re-evaluated each year to keep pace with construction costs. The expectation that Sinn Féin – which made much of the mica issue – will fight for three seats in Donegal at the next election will undoubtedly be factored into considerations on whether or not McConalogue will remain in Cabinet.”
The Times say the highlight of his ministry was leading the charge for Ireland on the new CAP while the lowlight was ‘the huge local pressure’ over mica
Meanwhile, the same paper believes the current Housing Minister, Darragh O’Brien, is ‘all but guaranteed’ a Cabinet place.
It says the highlight of O’Brien’ tenure was when he successfully pushed back against his own officials to introduce ‘a more generous scheme’ to help homeowners affected by defective blocks.
Read the full report on www.irishtimes.com
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