Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is expecting Síle de Valera to step down as a Junior Minister later this year and will be in a position to make another new ministerial appointment before the next election, according to Government sources, writes Stephen Collins, Political Correspondent.
Given her decision not to contest the next election, it is now believed in Fianna Fáil that Ms de Valera will step down some time in the summer, allowing Mr Ahern to make a new appointment to boost the party's chances in a marginal constituency in the election. Mr Ahern was not prepared to press Ms de Valera to leave her post before the 90th anniversary celebrations of the 1916 Rising, at Easter, given her family connections.
However, once the anniversary is over and the election gets closer, a move is more likely. Coincidentally, Seán Haughey, who was disappointed at his failure to win promotion, has said he will decide after Easter if he has a future in politics.
Mr Ahern, if he chooses, will be able to defuse the anger about his failure to appoint a Dublin northside TD to a junior ministry by promoting Mr Haughey or one of the other TDs mentioned in media speculation over the past two months. The availability of another post later in the year may keep Fianna Fáil backbenchers in line as almost any one them could entertain hopes of promotion based on the Taoiseach's record to date on junior ministerial appointments.
However, if Mr Haughey is passed over again he may well decide to leave politics and that could cost the party a seat in Dublin North Central.
Tánaiste Mary Harney said yesterday that she was sure other opportunities would arise for people who did not get promoted this time. Ms Harney said she did not think the controversy had damaged the Government. "Obviously the appointment of a Minister of State was a matter for the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach was obliged to consult the Cabinet and he did that on Tuesday and it was his prerogative. . . But I don't think it should have any impact on the Government.
"It's entirely a matter within the Fianna Fail party as to who was chosen and that's not something I should reflect on."
Government chief whip Tom Kitt said the Taoiseach and Mr Haughey would now sit down and talk "man-to-man".
"Everybody would feel for Seán Haughey in this situation but what the Taoiseach has to do, and lets look at it objectively if we can, it is difficult to do that, he has to make a very difficult choice.
"He has to look at the ability, the suitability for the job in this case. In this case it was forestry at the Department of Agriculture - and as has been said in the media, geography, constituencies etc and indeed service, he has been known to look at the whole area of service.
"There are other people disappointed as well but I wanted to say I hope Seán will stay with us."