Sweeping changes in the Fine Gael frontbench are expected to be announced by the party leader, Enda Kenny, today.
Newly-elected TDs and some who have returned to the Dáil after an absence of five years are likely to figure in the shake-up. The new Labour Party leader, Eamon Gilmore, will also announce his team.
Mr Kenny will unveil his new frontbench team this afternoon, a week before the Dáil meets for the autumn session. Having gained 20 extra seats in the election, he has an extra array of talent at his disposal than when he took over the leadership five years ago. Among those being strongly tipped for promotion last night were some TDs who lost their seats in 2002, Brian Hayes, from Dublin South West, Michael Creed, Cork North West, and possibly Alan Shatter of Dublin South or Charlie Flanagan from Laois-Offaly. Mr Hayes was already promoted to the front bench on an interim basis as health spokesman to replace Dr Liam Twomey, who lost his Dáil seat in Wexford.
Mr Hayes was the Fine Gael leader in the Seanad for the past five years and is regarded as a senior figure in the party, although he is still only 38.
Another former frontbencher who is expected to make a return is Cork South Central TD Simon Coveney. Following his election to the European Parliament in 2004, he opted to focus on his new responsibilities but he is expected to be rewarded with promotion following his Dáil victory.
Mayo TD Michael Ring, a running mate of the party leader, may be rewarded in the light of the party's achievement of winning three seats in the county.
Among the new TDs in contention for front bench positions are Lucinda Creighton of Dublin South East, Dr Leo Varadkar of Dublin West, Dr James Reilly from Dublin North,Kieran O'Donnell from Limerick East, and Joe McHugh from Donegal North East.
Labour leader Mr Gilmore is expected to give new TDs SeáSherlock, Ciarán Lynch and Joanna Tuffy senior portfolios in an effort to freshen up the party's image.
Mr Gilmore has accused Fianna Fáil of acting in a predictable manner by again asking people to tighten their belts in the aftermath of a general election. "Fianna Fáil always rein in spending after elections," he told a meeting of party members in Kilkenny last night at a "hustings" meeting being held for debate among the candidates for the party's deputy leadership.
