A CABINET reshuffle is expected in the next few weeks along with major changes in the structure of some key Government departments.
Speculation about a reshuffle was sparked by comments from Taoiseach Brian Cowen refusing to set a time limit for replacing Willie O’Dea as minister for defence.
“There is no requirement for me to put a time limit on the nomination,” Mr Cowen told Labour Party leader, Eamon Gilmore in the Dáil, adding that he will continue to act as Minister for Defence for the present.
Fianna Fáil TDs last night interpreted Mr Cowen’s remarks as indicating he will undertake a full Cabinet reshuffle instead of simply filling Mr O’Dea’s former post.
There was speculation that Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism Martin Cullen may leave the Cabinet because of a severe back ailment that has bedevilled him in recent months.
A spokeswoman for Mr Cullen said: “He has a back problem but is getting on with his job and fulfilling his duties as a Minister.”
Cabinet sources expect Mr Cowen will reorganise the economic departments as part of the reshuffle to provide a stronger focus on the major problems facing the country.
Mr Cowen is said to be considering establishing a department of cconomic planning incorporating parts of the current Department of Enterprise and Employment.
Another key element of the restructuring is expected to be the creation of a full department responsible for public-service reform.
Work on the scope of a new department dealing with public-service reform is already under way.
A change in current departmental responsibilities formed part of the discussions in the negotiations between the Coalition parties on a new programme for government last October, with both sides agreeing on the need for a reorganisation.
The McCarthy report also recommended changes in departmental responsibilities, including the current Departments of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs; Enterprise; and Arts, Sports and Tourism.
The Taoiseach is expected to announce Trevor Sargent’s replacement as minister for food at the same time as the Cabinet reshuffle. The position will go to Green deputy leader Mary White or to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown TD, Ciaran Cuffe, who has longer Dáil service.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said yesterday he will publish the report commissioned by the Garda Commissioner into the leaking of letters written by Mr Sargent to a garda as soon as possible.
Mr Ahern said claims that he had been responsible for the leak were “a nasty attempt at a smear against me and my party”. The Minister said he had been briefed yesterday morning by the commissioner, who had taken a preliminary look at the documents involved and would present him with a report when the investigation was completed. “I intend to publish that as soon as possible when I get it and I hope when it’s published those people who smeared me are man enough to go into the Dáil or indeed outside the Dáil and withdraw their smears,” said Mr Ahern.
Mr Sargent also rejected Opposition parties’ claims that he had been “taken out” by Fianna Fáil sources in revenge for the attitude taken by the Green Party to Willie O’Dea.
He said gardaí were investigating the matter and he was prepared to await the outcome of that inquiry.
It emerged yesterday that Mr Sargent contacted Balbriggan Garda Superintendent, Joe Kelly, last week to air his concerns about the case that lead to his resignation. On Tuesday Mr Sargent said he only remembered details of the case when the Evening Herald published the letter he had written to a garda on behalf of a constituent, Dominic McGowan. In the letter, published by the paper yesterday, Mr Sargent wrote: “I would be grateful if you could keep an eye on this case as I fear for the safety of Mr McGowan, who faces his attacker in court again in the Central Criminal Court this Friday, 19th February, 2010 as a witness to his own attack.”