The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, will use the allocation of Oireachtas committee chairmanships to mollify disappointed TDs who failed to receive promotion in the Government reshuffle, political sources indicated yesterday.
Mr Ahern will have at least five positions to fill as a result of the reshuffle and the European election last June. He will have another post to allocate, if, as expected, he gives a chairmanship to the current deputy Government chief whip, Mr Billy Kelleher.
Sources said Mr Ahern was likely to make the appointments next week, on his return from a tour of south-east Asia.
In addition to Mr Kelleher, those in the frame for promotion include the Dublin TD Mr Pat Carey, Mr Peter Power of Limerick, Mr M.J. Nolan of Carlow, Mr John Moloney of Laois and Dr Jimmy Devins of Sligo.
The Dublin TD, Mr Seán Haughey, who has expressed frustration at his failure to rise above the rank of deputy committee chairman, may also be considered.
Committee chairmanships are seen as a crucial stepping stone to higher office particularly under the leadership of Mr Ahern, all of whose most recent appointments to the rank of Minister of State were from the position of committee chair. Such jobs carry an additional allowance of €16,000 above TDs' annual salaries.
Tipped for a possible promotion to the rank of minister of state before the reshuffle, Mr Kelleher is considered a favourite to receive a chairmanship.
Sources said Mr Power was in the frame to receive the post of deputy Government chief whip, reporting to Mr Tom Kitt.
Mr Moloney is currently deputy chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health, whose outgoing chairman Mr Batt O'Keeffe was appointed Minister of State in the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
While Mr Moloney would be seen as a obvious successor to Mr O'Keeffe, sources believe that Dr Devins, a medical doctor, might get the job.
Mr Carey, a primary school teacher, was tipped last night to replace Mr Tony Killeen as chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education. Mr Killeen was made Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Mr Ahern's reshuffle.
However, Mr Carey might also be considered for the post of joint chair of the British Irish Parliamentary body. In addition, the chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport is vacant following the election of Mr Eoin Ryan to the European Parliament last June.
The chairmanship of the Joint Committee on the Environment is available following the promotion of Mr Seán Power to the post of Minister of State for Health.
