Burton will seek ‘dividend’ for those who suffered financially

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin has said Tánaiste Joan Burton will prioritise social policies and a "dividend" for people who had endured economic hardship in her discussions with Taoiseach Enda Kenny today.

Ms Burton was last week elected leader of the Labour Party and appointed Tánaiste, succeeding Eamon Gilmore. She began talks yesterday with Coalition colleague, Taoiseach Enda Kenny on policy direction of Government as well as a Cabinet reshuffle.

Ms Burton was driven into Government Buildings at 8.25am ahead of this morning's Cabinet meeting. Her talks with Mr Kenny will resume afterwards, with the reshuffle announcement now expected tomorrow.

Mr Howlin, entering his Department, said the implementation of policies was more important than the distribution of portfolios.

He said the last three-and-a-half years had been particularly difficult for working people, for those dependent on social welfare and for the young.

Tough measures had been taken by Government to fix the economy “that was teetering on the edge of its very existence,” he said.

“But now there needs to be a dividend. So rather than who does what it’s what is to be done, and to ensure that everybody appreciates and feels in their pocket that we have progressed,” he said.

Referring to talks between the party leaders, he said: “The next phase of it is to talk about the social side of it. I know that’s a priority for the new Tánaiste.”

Mr Howlin is expected to remain in his Department after the reshuffle.

However, this morning he said he would await the outcome of the discussions.

“I will work away until somebody tells me that I shouldn’t. I expect the decision of the Taoiseach and Tánaiste on that in the next day or two.”