TAOISEACH Brian Cowen refused to be drawn on when he will appoint a new minister for defence, despite repeated questions from the Opposition.

“There is no requirement to set a time limit on when the replacement for the outgoing minister for defence will be appointed,” Mr Cowen said. “His position is being taken by me for the present, and that is fine, constitutionally. It will be dealt with in due course.”

The matter was first raised by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who asked when Willie O’Dea, who resigned last week, would be replaced.

Mr Cowen replied: “As I have said, the position in the Department of Defence is being filled by me for the present.” Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said that when ministers Charlie McCreevy, Joe Walsh and Michael Smith resigned in September 2004, the three nominations for replacing them were made on the same day.

He added: “In 1997, when Ray Burke resigned as minister on October 8th, his replacement was nominated the following day.

“If we go back as far as 1996, when deputy Michael Lowry resigned as a minister on November 30th, his replacement was nominated on December 3rd, the next day on which the Dáil sat.

“This is the first occasion I can recall when there has not been a nomination to fill a vacancy arising in the Government either on the day the vacancy occurred or in the first Dáil sitting afterwards.” Pressing the Taoiseach to say what his intentions were, Mr Gilmore asked if he intended replacing Mr O’Dea or leaving membership of the Government at 14, as it now stood.

“The position comes up somewhat like the recruitment embargo in the public sector,” he added. “How long is it intended to leave it that way?” Mr Gilmore challenged the Taoiseach to share with the House his rationale for postponing the nomination, if it was his intention to do so.

Mr Cowen insisted he had outlined his thinking on the matter about four times in the past four or five days. “My thinking is very clear. The matter will be a matter for the House when a motion for nomination of a person is brought by the Taoiseach.

“Obviously, prior notice will be given to all the parties in order for them to consider that nominee when put forward. The decision will be taken in the House. That is the position.’’

When Mr Gilmore continued to press, the Taoiseach said: “I gave the deputy an answer.’’

Mr Gilmore replied: “No, the Taoiseach did not. My question is: when does the Taoiseach intend to bring the motion to the House?’’ Mr Cowen said there was no requirement on him to give a time limit.

Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said he thought he had heard the Taoiseach say he was taking over the Department of Health rather than the Department of Defence.

Mr Cowen said: “Do not tell me, Deputy Ó Caoláin, that you are putting in a deafness claim as well. The deputy is a lot closer to gunfire than I was.’’