Will a Cavan TD feature in new Cabinet?
While there was a buzz of anticipation at Fianna Fáil’s special Ard Fhéis on Sunday where delegates voted on the Programme for Government, all eyes are now on the party leader’s appointment as Taoiseach. His choices for Cabinet are also expected to take place today (Wednesday).
Cavan Monaghan TD, Deputy Brendan Smith, told the Celt yesterday that he is not expecting to be appointed to Cabinet despite having held previous positions including Minister for Agriculture.
Party colleague, Niamh Smyth, meanwhile, said “no discussions” had taken place between her and Mr Martin so far. However, she confirmed, if offered a Ministerial position, “I’ll be happy to take on the role”.
“Micheál Martin will do what Micheál Martin wants to do and there is nothing wrong with that.” “We won a Fianna Fáil seat for the third time in Cavan-Monaghan and this is the party’s second time in government so, certainly, I would be very enthusiastic to play a role in all that and happy to take it on should the opportunity arise,” she added.
Deputy Smyth had been tipped perhaps for the Arts portfolio, vacated by Green Minister Catherine Martin, a Monaghan native. Deputy Smyth served as Chair of the Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht since September 2020 and was most vocal on the saga of overspending at RTÉ.
Meanwhile, Deputy Brendan Smith said, given the short notice in respect of the Ard Fhéis, “attendance was very good” with “overwhelming support” for the Programme for Government.
“The Programme is ambitious particularly in the areas of housing; supports for people with disabilities; and for children with special needs, and the provision of assessment and treatment in a timely manner,” he continued.
“There are great proposals in the Programme for Government including better and improved delivery of public services so it’s about implementing and prioritising it.”
Meanwhile, a vote will take place in the Dáil this morning on the Taoiseach’s appointment where it is expected that Micheál Martin will succeed Fine Gael’s Simon Harris. Thereafter, he will travel to Aras an Uachtrán where he will receive the seal of office from President Michael D. Higgins.
The Taoiseach will then return to Dáil Eireann where he will name his Cabinet. The new government will be a coalition of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backed by nine Independents including the Regional Independent grouping and the Healy Raes giving the Government a healthy majority of 17.