Is a reshuffle on the cards - at this late stage?

dixiefly

On Morning ireland they were speculating that there could be a reshuffle with M Martins position and also, possibly, he retiring ministerss positions up for grabs.

Is there a possibility that some backbenchers have been made promises to secure their support in the vote last night?

I find it difficult to see how this could be justified at this late stage. Surely the Greens will not buy that one.

enda1

Surely they'll just put a junior minister into the position from the department. It would be very illogical to bring in a newbie.

gandalf

Now that is taking the piss at this stage. Originally we were told by the Greens that they wanted the election by the end of this month. It now looks like it is going to be April or even May before it happens.

This is turning into a bigger farce with every day that passes.

the groutch

Cowen taking Martin's job for himself. :eek:

Tabnabs

the groutch wrote: »

Cowen taking Martin's job for himself. :eek:

It's just astounding

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0119/politics.html

Het-Field

A further centralisation of Governmental Functions.

What a joke.

Flimbos

John Curran said on Morning Ireland that a reshuffe may be on the cards and that this would be up for discussion at today's meeting with the Greens.

This is getting more ridiculous by the day. Why waste time and money rearranging the deckchairs for what will only be about a month.

Give Martin's old job to someone like Dick Roche and set a date for the election. Enough of this time wasting.

outandabout

I'm loving the talk of a Cabinet "reshuffle" following Micheal Martins resignation as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

There is some speculation that Brian Cowen will reward some of the loyal lieutenants who supported him in the vote of confidence by promoting them to the Cabinet.

Given that there will be a general election in less than three months time this would give the new Ministers no time to learn their new briefs but I'd presume they would get a Ministerial pension on the dissolution of the Dail.

If Cowan has any integrity left he would leave the Cabinet intact and take over responsibility himself for Foreign Affairs in the few weeks remaining of this dying Government.

But I suspect he'll revert to type and hand out a few goodies to his mates in the hope it might save FF a few more seats in the election.

Lapin

If he had the country's interests at heart and treated the ministry seriously, he would simply elevate Dick Roche to the position. Roche is already a junior minister in the department so he would be more familiar with the brief than anyone else.

I'm not a supporter of Roche or his party. I just think he would be the responsible choice for the few weeks the government has left.

Can't see it happening though and I suspect OP is correct in assuming that the Cowan will use the Dept. of Foreign Affairs in a game of party politics.