Dublin North Central Fianna Fáil TD Seán Haughey is favourite to replace Minister of State at the Department of Education, Síle de Valera, who steps down from her position today.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is expected to announce Ms de Valera's replacement next Tuesday after bringing a nomination to Cabinet. A Government spokeswoman said last night that the announcement will be made shortly.
Ms de Valera, who represents the Clare constituency, announced a year ago that she would not be contesting the next general election after almost 30 years in politics. There was controversy when it emerged that she was not to step down from her junior ministry immediately.
There is strong expectation that the position will go to Mr Haughey, who was deeply disappointed when he wasn't promoted by the Taoiseach last February following the resignation of minister of state Ivor Callely. The promotion went to Meath TD Mary Wallace.
In a radio interview at the time Mr Haughey said he was going to "reflect" on his future in politics and he spoke about his hurt at the way he had been treated, saying he had it from sources close to Mr Ahern that he was in line for promotion.
Two other northside Dublin TDs Pat Carey and Jim Glennon also expressed their unhappiness at the way Mr Ahern had handled the matter. Later Mr Haughey had what he described as a "satisfactory" meeting with Mr Ahern.
Backbenchers said yesterday that there has been little speculation or talk about Ms de Valera's replacement, but that the expectation is that the job will go to Mr Haughey. One TD pointed out that this would make electoral sense as Mr Ahern is now the only member of the Cabinet in Dublin who lives north of the Liffey and the only Minister of State on the northside is his brother Noel.
There are five very vulnerable Fianna Fáil seats on Dublin's northside and a junior ministry north of the Liffey would help electoral prospects.
Other names being talked about as possible contenders are Cork South-West TD Denis O'Donovan, who is seen to have done a good job as chairman of the Dáil committee investigating the conduct of judge Brian Curtin, Tipperary North TD Maire Hoctor and Donegal North East TD Cecilia Keaveney.
Mr O'Donovan told The Irish Timesyesterday that his only ambition at the moment is to get re-elected at the next election and anything after that will be a bonus. "Getting re-elected is my focus. I have no expectations," he said.
Ms Hoctor said it would be "great news" if she was to get the nod from Mr Ahern and said if the job goes to Dublin that would be a huge loss to the mid-west.
"But the Taoiseach will decide. We will wait to see."
Ms Keaveney said that if she was asked to take the job she wouldn't say no "but at the end of the day it's a matter for the boss".
Sources said it would be an advantage to promote Ms Keaveney, now that Fianna Fáil is running three candidates in the constituency, Ms Keaveney, Jim McDaid and former Independent Fianna Fáil TD Niall Blaney.