Will Cavan get a government Minister?
With the departure of Minister Heather Humphreys, Cavan’s newly re-elected Fianna Fáil TDs could be in line for a cabinet position.
With 48 seats Fianna Fáil has emerged from the General Election as the largest party, nine ahead of Sinn Féin and 10 ahead of their current coalition partners Fine Gael.
Micheál Martin is clear favourite to become the next Taoiseach at the head of a Fianna Fáil led government.
Deputies Brendan Smith and Niamh Smyth are thus contenders to form part of the forthcoming cabinet.
“Everybody who would be a member of the parliamentary party and in the Dáil, if Fianna Fáil are in government, would naturally be interested in being considered fora government role. And I’m no different than anyone else,”explained Deputy Brendan Smith.
He is different to others in that he’s more experienced than the majority of his colleagues as he has been elected eight times to the Dáil. Only Micheál Martin and Willie O’Dea can equal or surpass Deputy Smith’s longevity.
As chairman of the parliamentary party Deputy Smith declined to give his views on government. He is due to chair a meeting of the parliamentary party today (Wednesday).
“I won’t give my views in advance of a meeting, but I will give my views at the meeting when everyone else has contributed.”
Deputy Niamh Smyth, who has just been elected for a third successive time, noted her party leader will have a larger contingent of TDs from which to choose the Fianna Fáil element of the cabinet.
Stand to me
However, she agreed with the Celt's assertion she could be higher up the pecking order than party colleagues elected for the first time.
“Yes, I have two terms of experience and that will stand to me - one in opposition, one in government - and while I wasn't a minister in the last round, I think the whole experience of the Oireachtas committee has stood to me. Look it, I'm always ambitious and hopeful for the constituency more so than myself. Particularly after Heather Humphreys' departure, you would think there would be an emphasis and onus on any party leader - whoever is in government - to look at the border region and senior cabinet positions, I hope would come into account.”