Reshuffle winners and losers
WINNER
Former Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffewas promoted to Mary Coughlan's old department, which has been renamed the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation in the reshuffle.
Responsibility for funding for the research programme in third-level institutions has been transferred to the restructured Department of Enterprise.
Referring to Mr O’Keeffe’s close friendship with Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Fine Gael’s Brian Hayes last year called the Cork North-West TD “the Marc Antony of the Government”.
LOSER
Mary Hanafin,the former Minister for Social and Family Affairs, was yesterday given responsibility for the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, which is a restructured version of Martin Cullen's old Arts, Sport and Tourism department.
In his Dáil speech, Taoiseach Brian Cowen apparently attempted to sweeten the pill with a specific reference to the “important role to be played” by the department in economic renewal. Ms Hanafin yesterday denied she was disappointed and said Mr Cowen had given her “great scope to develop” her new role.
WINNER
The position at the Cabinet table of former Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs
Éamon Ó Cuívwas regarded as safe.
Not only has he remained in Cabinet, but he is considered to have been promoted. He takes charge of the Department of Social Protection, which is a restructured version of the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
However, the previous minister at that department, Mary Hanafin, yesterday suggested the policy aspect of Mr Ó Cuív’s new ministry had been removed.
LOSER
Mary Coughlanwas widely considered to have been gently demoted by the Taoiseach in yesterday's reshuffle. While she retained her position as Tánaiste, Ms Coughlan lost her Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and was put in charge of the newly-named Department of Education and Skills.
However, Mary Hanafin said the education job could not be viewed as a demotion for Ms Coughlan. The role remained a central one, she insisted.
“I’m delighted for the Tánaiste. I think she’ll enjoy it and I think she’ll be very good at it.”
