Members of the Cabinet are set to learn their fates tomorrow from the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, ahead of the reshuffle to be announced on Wednesday. However, he is expected to hold back final details of the changes until Wednesday.
Last night, there was increasing speculation that the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, will take over the Department of Health.
Her apparent determination to take over the Department of Health, instead of the Department of Education, has taken some in Fianna Fáil by surprise, given the portfolio's difficulties. "They seem to have to done a lot of deliberating that achievable, measurable gains can be made in the lifetime of the Government," said one Fianna Fáil TD.
If confirmed, Ms Harney would be expected to concentrate her efforts on improving accident and emergency services, waiting lists and pushing reforms on consultants.
The Taoiseach is expected to inform colleagues about his decisions tomorrow, although some will not be told of the portfolios they will occupy until Wednesday morning, some sources insist.
The Minister for Health, Mr Martin, is expected to take over from Ms Harney in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. A decision by the Taoiseach to move Mr Martin to anywhere other than Enterprise would be interpreted as a demotion for the Corkman.
The expected move of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, to the Department of Finance will open up a vacancy in Iveagh House.
The most likely replacements for Mr Cowen are Mr John O'Donoghue, currently serving in Arts, Sport and Tourism, or Mr Dermot Ahern, currently in charge of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
The Government Chief Whip, Ms Mary Hanafin, is regarded as a near-certainty to be given a full departmental role, possibly to Education.
The Wicklow-based Minister of State for Europe, Mr Dick Roche, is also increasingly likely to receive advancement, though such an outcome would threaten disappointment for Minister of State for Health, Mr Brian Lenihan.
Minister of State for Justice, Mr Willie O'Dea's chances of advancement will be strengthened if the Taoiseach, as expected, demotes the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith.
The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, who already announced his decision to quit the Cabinet, will attend his final ministerial meeting on Wednesday. His place in Agriculture House could possibly be taken by Mr O'Donoghue.
Given that the reshuffle story has dominated headlines since before the summer, the Taoiseach will need to keep a surprise in store. He will have the opportunity to make substantial changes to the junior ministerial ranks, with Fianna Fáil TDs speculating about the futures of Ms Síle de Valera, Dr James McDaid and Mr Frank Fahey.
