With the Labour Party choosing to sit out government formation talks, and an expectation that the Social Democrats will follow suit, the shape of the next coalition is becoming clearer.
The nine-strong Regional Group of Independents will likely now be kingmakers and, although it is early days, speculation is already building around which TDs will become ministers around the next cabinet table.
To that end, a press release landed on Thursday afternoon from Regional Independent member and Galway West TD Noel Grealish, where he made his ministerial ambitions clear.
“Government negotiations are ongoing and I believe in the importance of ensuring a robust programme for government, which addresses policy issues, the concerns of the Irish people, issues of relevance for Ireland nationally and internationally and the constituency of Galway West ... The issue of ministerial roles has not been discussed thus far, however, I wish to confirm that I am interested in such a position, if it becomes available at a later stage of negotiations.”
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The Regional Group want at least one senior ministry, one super junior and perhaps two junior ministers. Other names from the group in contention for a senior ministry include Galway East TD Seán Canney, Longford-Westmeath TD Kevin Boxer Moran and Sligo-Leitrim TD Marian Harkin.
The participation of the Independents in the next government means that there will be more cabinet seats available between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. With Fianna Fáil holding an extra 10 seats, they may nab an extra ministerial portfolio or two over their rivals.
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Within Fine Gael, several names are the subject of speculation for a ministerial post. Reports on Thursday placed Dún Laoghaire TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill as the next potential minister for health, but sources in Government indicated such speculation was premature. Other Fine Gael names in contention for a senior ministry include Peter Burke, Paschal Donohoe (potentially back in the finance ministry), Helen McEntee (potentially holding the enterprise job), Hildegarde Naughton, Patrick O’Donovan and Neale Richmond.
[ Independents’ demands for government include wishlist on health and housingOpens in new window ]
In Fianna Fáil, the competition will be intense. Frontrunners for a ministerial position include James Browne, Mary Butler, Jack Chambers, Thomas Byrne, Dara Calleary, Cormac Devlin, Norma Foley, Timmy Dooley, Charlie McConalogue, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, Darragh O’Brien, Jim O’Callaghan, Anne Rabbitte and Niamh Smith.
Fianna Fáil want to keep the ministries of housing and health, while strategists in the party are also eyeing up the Department of Justice. Fine Gael sources said they are keen to hold on to the Departments of Enterprise and Social Protection, with a battle due to play out over the two finance ministries. Before all of that, though, must come detailed discussions on policy as a programme for government is drawn up. At this stage, it looks as though speculation around new ministers will remain just that, until the end of January.
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