Donegal Fianna Fail Deputy, Charlie McConalogue, is said to be in a battle for a new role when the cabinet is announced this afternoon.
Micheál Martin and Simon Harris are currently putting the finishing touches to their cabinet line-ups.
McConalogue’s current position, Minister for Agriculture, is believed to be going to be allocated to another TD.
However, according to reports in the national media, Fianna Fáil’s Dara Calleary is also tipped for the Cabinet, but he is in a major fight for inclusion with the Inishowen representative.
Mr McConalogue’s supporters travelled down in huge numbers for the Fianna Fáil ard fheis in Dublin at the weekend, and many of them impressed on their party leader the need to keep Donegal uppermost in his thoughts.
This, in turn, would make it hard to see room for Thomas Byrne, the most experienced of junior ministers.
The Dáil will meet this morning at 11am to elect Mr Martin as taoiseach for the second time. Fianna Fáil’s 48 TDs, Fine Gael’s 38 and nine Independent TDs will vote for Mr Martin as taoiseach.
On receiving the nomination of the Dáil, he will then travel to Áras an Uachtaráin for appointment by President Michael D Higgins.
He will then return to Government Buildings to meet the ministers he is appointing to the Cabinet individually.
The Cabinet will be announced sometime later this evening.
Tags:
