THIRTEEN new Ministers of State are expected to be approved today by Cabinet and announced later by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.
The decision on who should fill the junior Minister positions has been delayed for 12 days after the senior appointments because of the Taoiseach's involvement in Northern Ireland, Government sources said. However, the Labour Party claimed that the delay was due to a wish on Mr Ahern's part to allow future junior Ministers to vote in yesterday's mayoralty contests in local authorities.
Under legislation governing membership of local authorities, junior Ministers are automatically barred from holding on to their local authority seats.
Since 11 of the 15 Cabinet postings went to Dublin, Leinster and Cork, today's appointments are expected to offer some solace to the west. This is the first time that a Fianna Fail administration has not drawn a senior Minister from Galway.
The Galway West TD, Mr Eamon O Cuiv, is likely to be awarded a junior Ministry, possibly with responsibility for the islands or rural development. This function would take him into the Department of Arts, Culture, Heritage and the Islands where his first cousin, Ms Sile de Valera, holds the senior portfolio.
Ms Mary Coughlan and Ms Mary Wallace are also likely to be in the junior Ministers team. It is not clear what portfolios will be allocated to them but Ms Wallace has been active in promoting Fianna Fail's policy on disability.
The Taoiseach's brother, Mr Noel Ahern, is also tipped to become a junior Minister as is Mr Chris Flood who helped bring in a second Dail seat for Fianna Fail in Dublin South-West.
Mr Willie O'Dea of Limerick East is seen as one of the TDs almost sure to be singled out for promotion today. Equally certain of advancement are Mr Tom Kitt and Mr Brian Lenihan.
With the west of Ireland disappointed in Cabinet representation, Mr Tom Moffatt of Mayo East is likely to become a Minister of State also. Mr Michael Ahern of Cork East, Mr Liam Aylward - a former junior Minister for sport - and Mr Hugh Byrne of Wexford are also believed to be on the Taoiseach's list.
Mr Batt O'Keeffe from Cork South Central, as well as the former PD TD, Mr Martin Cullen of Waterford, are also expected to be chosen for promotion.