The Taoiseach was giving no official response yesterday to the bitter disappointment expressed by junior minister Mr Eamon O Cuiv over his transfer from Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands to Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
The Minister of State and Galway West TD told The Irish Times that he ascribed no motive whatever to the Taoiseach's decision to move him in the reshuffle caused by the resignation of Minister of State Mr Ned O'Keeffe.
"I think the Taoiseach really thought he was giving me something that would suit me and he did it for the best," Mr O Cuiv said.
The Minister of State intends to perform his last official function in Arts and Heritage on Monday when he and his successor, Ms Mary Coughlan, jointly open Ros Ceide pier at Rosmuc, Co Galway.
Mr O Cuiv said Ms Coughlan had offered to leave it to him, as it had been pre-planned, but he was anxious she should be there.
"I suppose I should be delighted at the new post, because I can put my feet up," the junior minister said. His job specification had been "more or less defined" yesterday, he said. "But what is rural development?" he added. "I wouldn't like anyone to think I am going to be able to save the west, for instance."
He confirmed he had expressed "a sense of guilt" at taking a salary for what he was going to do.
Among his new responsibilities will be the Rural Environment Protection Scheme, head age payments, area based payments and land policy.
He confirmed he had turned down responsibility for the Western Development Commission which comes under the Agriculture brief.
