Main Points
- Paschal Donohoe is to step down as Minister for Finance and take up a position at the World Bank, prompting a Cabinet reshuffle. He will resign as a TD later this week
- These are the changes to be made to Cabinet: Simon Harris will take over from Paschal Donohoe as Minister for Finance, Helen McEntee moves to Foreign Affairs and Hildegarde Naughton is promoted to Education portfolio
- The World Bank Group released a statement confirming Donohoe will start his new job as managing director and chief knowledge officer next Monday, November 24th
- President Catherine Connolly appointed Hildegarde Naughton as Minister for Education and Youth in a ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin this afternoon.
Key Reads
- Pat Leahy: Donohoe’s resignation leaves Government substantially weaker
- Profile: Who is Paschal Donohoe?
- Donohoe: prudent steward of the economy or minister for the status quo?
- Donohoe’s constituents on his time in politics
- What is the €410,000-a-year job that Donohoe is moving to?
- In pictures: Paschal Donohoe through the years
We’re going to wrap up our live story now, thanks for staying with us on a day of seismic news for the Government.
Before we go, here is some analysis from political editor Pat Leahy:
“Sources across Government acknowledged [Paschal Donohoe’s] departure would deprive the Coalition of one its most respected and effective members. Mr Donohoe has spent almost a decade as either Minister for Finance or Minister for Public Expenditure, or both.
“Mr Donohoe, who has delivered 10 budgets, has been a voice for fiscal caution, seeking to restrain the spending demands of fellow ministers and warning consistently of the dangers of relying on windfall corporation tax revenues.
“However, critics pointed to massive spending growth during his tenure. His budgets have frequently been criticised as too expansionary by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, the independent budgetary watchdog.”
Read the full article here.
Hildegarde Naughton was appointed as Minister for Education and Youth in a ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin.
She has been promoted to Cabinet, while Tánaiste Simon Harris will take over from Paschal Donohoe as Minister for Finance and Helen McEntee moves from Education to Foreign Affairs.
Young Fine Gael has issued a statement wishing Paschal Donohoe well in his next venture.
“Minister Donohoe has consistently engaged with YFG, particularly through our annual pre-budget submission meetings, where he listened with care to the priorities and concerns of young people across Ireland,” the statement notes.
“His openness to conversation and his thoughtful feedback have helped ensure that youth voices are part of the wider national discussion on economic and social policy.
“These meetings have also reflected his genuine interest in encouraging young people to take part in the political process, giving them the confidence to share their perspective and feel included in shaping Ireland’s future.
“Beyond his engagement with YFG, Minister Donohoe has shown remarkable dedication to Fine Gael, to the people of Dublin Central, and to Ireland’s place in Europe.
“His years of service as a representative for Dublin Central have been marked by commitment to his constituents and to the values of our party.
“On the international stage, his leadership as President of the Eurogroup has brought distinction to Ireland, strengthened our voice in Europe and demonstrated the importance of constructive, principled leadership.”
Paschal Donohoe was first elected as a Fine Gael TD in 2011, after two unsuccessful attempts: the general election of 2007 and the byelection of 2009.
Here’s a throwback to one of his election leaflets from 2007, courtesy of Alan Kinsella (who has a very impressive collection of political memorabilia).
Labour’s Marie Sherlock, a Dublin Central TD, also expressed her shock at Mr Donohoe’s departure from politics.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, Ms Sherlock said today has “obviously come as a surprise to many” but “maybe not so much to those of us who are watching his career closely over the last number of years”.
“There are very real concerns now about the stability at the heart of Government and indeed what is going to be achieved by this Government with Paschal Donohoe - who was at the heart of that Government - now missing from it.”
Ms Sherlock also said she is “determined” that Labour will contest the by-election in Dublin Central to fill the Dáil seat vacated by Mr Donohoe.
“I’m going to be talking to our members over the next number of days, certainly I’m very determined that the Labour Party will be contesting this election.”
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said that Paschal Donohoe’s departure as Minister for Finance came as a “huge shock”.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, Mr Heydon said: “It came as a huge shock to us all that after 18 years as an Oireachtas member, 10 years either as Minister for Finance or Public Expenditure over those 10 budgets, that he was going on to pastures new and taking on a new form of public service, if you like.”
The Fine Gael TD said the fact that Ireland will “have somebody of our own” in an influential position at the World Bank is “really a great thing”.
President Catherine Connolly appointed Hildegarde Naughton as Minister for Education and Youth in a ceremony held at Áras an Uachtaráin this afternoon.
Earlier today, the Dáil voted by 88 to 69 to approve the appointment of Ms Naughton to Cabinet.
As existing members of Government, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister Helen McEntee, though moving to other departments, did not require approval by vote.
In case you missed it earlier, here is a recap of Micheál Martin’s statement on Paschal Donohoe’s departure.
The Taoiseach thanked his colleague for “his years of public service, in particular as a government minister since 2014″.
“An honorable and committed colleague, I always worked very well with Paschal and we cooperated closely throughout the Covid pandemic.
“Together, the innovative approaches adopted during the pandemic underpinned the Irish economy, as well as during many other challenges such as Brexit and the invasion of Ukraine.”
Mr Martin said he wished Mr Donohoe “all the very best in his new role”.
Some top political writers have offered their thoughts on Paschal Donohoe here. Olivia O’Leary writes that Mr Donohoe was the centre holding and asked if it will hold without him? Gerard Howlin describes him as a man of ideas but a minister for the status quo. Stephen Collins sets out how Mr Donohoe was criticised both for overspending and being too austere but says the former minister steered the economy through crises.
Paschal Donohoe has long been a defender of the “centre” holding in Irish politics. As Jack Horgan-Jones reported earlier Donohoe once more made the case for this at his departure press conference.
The Dáil has voted by 88 to 69 to approve the appointment of Hildegarde Naughton to Cabinet as Minister for Education. Tánaiste Simon Harris and Helen McEntee are already Cabinet members, though moving to other departments, and as existing members of Government do not require approval by vote.
People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett told the Dáil he wished Mr Donohoe well on a personal level.
“You’ve been a civil and thoughtful adversary for the years that we have both been in this house, but also you never held back in letting us know what you thought about our perspective on politics and economics.”
But Mr Boyd Barrett said: “The legacy that has been left behind by the years of Fine Gael Government, since I’ve been in this house, and since you’ve been in this House is not one to be proud of.
“You simply cannot escape responsibility for a disastrous, ongoing housing and homelessness crisis that has plunged so many people into the misery of emergency accommodation, into rotting for years, sometimes decades, on housing lists of being crucified by unaffordable rents.”
Mr Boyd Barrett also hit out at Mr Donohoe’s new employer, saying: “The World Bank is an institution of global capitalism that frankly has a pretty dire record, particularly located in Washington, DC, lending out money to poor countries and then demanding austerity privatisation and essentially serving the interests of American and western big business, often at the expense of some of the poorest countries in the world.”
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns wished Mr Donohoe well as he leaves public office in Ireland and said he has “managed something very rare in politics to keep a secret and to surprise everybody today.
“We obviously don’t agree on lots, but I know that the Minister has worked very hard since his election, and on a personal level, and on behalf of the Social Democrats, I want to wish you and your family the very best.”
She noted that the role of Finance Minister is Mr Harris’s sixth position in Cabinet in nearly a decade.
Ms Cairns welcomed “that gender balance at the Cabinet table will improve somewhat” and that Minister McEntee becomes the first woman Minister for Foreign Affairs. “Infamously, earlier this year, more men named James were appointed to the Cabinet than women. So even with this change, the number of women at the Cabinet has just been restored to where it was at the last Government.. I think that’s important to note.”
As Marie O’Halloran reports Ms Cairns said that people watching proceedings at home will see some Cabinet changes “but will they notice any change in their own lives after this reshuffle, because there are so many people out there who are under enormous pressure”.
From his election to the Dáil in 2011 to budget day last month, The Irish Times picture desk has compiled some photos of Paschal Donohoe during his political career here. Meanwhile, Harry McGee has profiled Mr Donohoe in this piece.
Speaking in the Dáil, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald wished Mr Donohoe and his family well personally and said: “I genuinely hope that the next chapter in their lives brings them good health and much happiness.”
However, as Marie O’Halloran reports she trenchantly criticised the Government and said Mr Donohoe leaves behind a Government record “not defined by service, not by ambition, but by a relentless commitment to clinging to power at all costs”.
She hit out at the formation of Government and what she characterised as a “grubby deal” with Independent Michael Lowry and his associates.
It was a “deal born of desperation for office, not by for dedication to the Irish people” and “the rot set in from day one” with its first act “to consolidate privilege” and “the appointment of the largest number of Super Junior ministers in the history of the State, with enhanced salaries, enhanced perks, enhanced comfort”.
She highlighted the scoliosis crisis and the failure of young Harvey Morrison Sherratt “who was left to wait and wait and suffer agony – no four-month timeline for him”.
She also highlighted the “worst housing crisis in the history of the State, record homelessness, record rents, soaring house prices, entire generations locked out of home ownership, trapped in extortionate rent or forced abroad”.
And referencing the cost of living crisis she said “workers and families are being hit from all sides, and your Government is the one swinging the hammer. People are now afraid to turn on their heating despite the cold.”
In closing remarks similar to her speech on budget day Ms McDonald she told the Government benches “Ireland deserves better than you. Workers deserve better than you. Young people deserve better than you.”
She said “your Government is out of touch, out of ideas, and should be out of time. Today, the Minister for Finance, take his leave. Oh that the rest of you would follow.”
In his analysis of the day’s events, Political Editor Pat Leahy writes that Paschal Donohoe’s resignation leaves the Government substantially weaker with problems piling up. The piece can be found here.
Donohoe in line for hefty remuneration package at World Bank
Paschal Donohoe will be in line for a hefty remuneration package in his new role as managing director and chief knowledge officer of the World Bank.
The World Bank Group’s (WBG) 2025 Annual Report shows that managing directors are paid annual net salaries of between $430,000 and $466,150 (between €370,655 and €401,851) and other benefits of between $171,636 and $186,065 (between €147,940 and €160,377).
There are also pension plan contributions in most instances.
The Annual Report says: “The salaries are set on a net-of-tax basis as WBG staff, other than US citizens, are not required to pay income taxes on their WBG compensation.”
Eoin Burke-Kennedy reports here that a predecessor of Mr Donohoe’s at the World Bank received a tax-free salary of $475,230 (about €410,000) plus living expenses of $156,529 (€177,652).
He also outlines how Mr Donohoe was long associated with the top job at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and so he has surprised commentators by taking up a senior role with the other major global financial institution, the World Bank.
Mr Donohoe notified Cabinet on Tuesday that he planned to step down as finance minister and as a TD for Dublin Central, effective immediately, to take up the position of senior managing director at the World Bank.
He is due to start in his new role next Monday.
Marie O’Halloran reports that Tánaiste Simon Harris told the Dáil: “My friend and colleague Paschal Donohoe, has served with unparalleled distinction for over 18 years as an Oireachtas member and over 14 years as a member of Dáil Éireann.
“He has presided over 10 budgets as either minister for finance or minister for public expenditure and reform, which, if not quite record breaking, is an extraordinary achievement in any modern parliamentary democracy.
“He has also served as minister for transport and as minister of State for European affairs, where he established himself as a highly effective and trusted minister on the international stage.
“He has been elected as president of the Eurogroup on three occasions, which makes clear the extremely high regard in which he is held by colleagues across the EU and in the constituency of Dublin Central.”
Speaking in the Dáil, the Taoiseach congratulated Mr Donohoe on his “appointment to such an important role in the World Bank”.
“This appointment is a tribute to the impact which he has made in three important ministerial roles over the past decade, as well as his work as president of the Eurogroup.
“He is only the fourth person to hold that role, and his election to it for three terms showed the deep esteem in which he is held throughout Europe.”
Mr Martin added: “This appointment is also a testament to the high regard in which Ireland is held due to the active and positive work of members of Government in international institutions.
“There are those who seem to assume that Ireland’s standing rests on how loud we speak,” Mr Martin said. He added that the truth is that it is actually based on “the much harder work” of building relationships and “showing our values through constructive work with others”.
“Pascal’s work on behalf and on behalf of all of the people of Europe deserve their thanks, respect and appreciation.”
Marie O’Halloran reports that in the Dáil Taoiseach Micheál Martin has officially announced that Tánaiste Simon Harris will become Minister for Finance, Helen McEntee becomes Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and for Defence and Hildegarde Naughton has been appointed Minister for Education.
Minister of State Emer Higgins is confirmed as a “super junior” minister sitting at Cabinet as Minister of State for Disability. Frankie Feighan will be Minister of State at Department of Public Expenditure with responsibility for public procurement, digitalisation and e-government.
Tánaiste Simon Harris will replace Paschal Donohoe as Minister for Finance under the reshuffle caused by Mr Donohoe’s departure, Political Editor Pat Leahy reports.
Hildegarde Naughton will be the new Minister for Education, replacing Helen McEntee in the role.
Ms McEntee with a move to Foreign Affairs.
Emer Higgins, who is currently a Minister of State will be a “super junior” minister with a seat at Cabinet. Another Fine Gael TD Frank Feighan, is to be promoted from the backbenches to become a Minister of State.
Dublin Central Labour TD Marie Sherlock has said her party will be contesting the byelection caused by Paschal Donohoe’s departure to the World Bank and said “bring it on”.
Ms Sherlock wished Mr Donohoe “all the very best in his new role”, saying: “It is a huge personal achievement for him and indeed for Ireland to be appointed to this role.”
She also said: “long before I became a councillor Paschal reached out and encouraged me to try politics and those sort of conversations aren’t forgotten”.
Ms Sherlock said: “Of course we’re now going to have a by-election in Dublin Central. The Labour Party will be contesting this. Bring on the by-election. And we look forward to a date being set hopefully in the new year.”
Ms Sherlock took the fourth and last seat in the constituency in last year’s general election, just ahead of veteran Dublin gangland figure Gerard ‘The Monk’ Hutch who lost out.
She said she has “no idea” if he will run again but said: “whether he or anybody else wants to run bring it on.”
Paschal Donohoe’s departure opens up a vacancy in an important Brussels role, president of the Eurogroup, which will likely be fought over by other governments, Europe Correspondent Jack Power writes.
Mr Donohoe was re-elected to the position for a third term earlier this summer. The role saw him chair monthly meetings of the 20 finance ministers of euro zone countries discussing economic policy.
The influential role saw Mr Donohoe build up a good rapport with Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, and saw the Fine Gael minister represent the Eurogroup in other international forums, such as meetings of the G7, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and his new employer, the World Bank. They will be handy connections to draw on in his new position.
Belgium’s Vincent Van Peteghem and Greek finance minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis are tipped as possible early contenders to take over the EU role. Spain’s economy minister Carlos Cuerpo challenged Donohoe last time out, so might be expected to throw his name into the mix again.
Tradition dictates the Eurogroup role is usually held by a small, or mid-sized member state.
Former Luxembourg prime minister and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker held the position from 2005 to 2013.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin congratulated Mr Donohoe on his new role at the World Bank and thanked him for his public service, “in particular as a Government minister since 2014″.
Mr Martin said he “always worked very well with Paschal, and we co-operated closely throughout the Covid pandemic.”
The Taoiseach stressed that the Government was still “strong,” in the wake of the departure of the significant high profile finance minister.
“This Government is in a strong position. In recent weeks, we have launched our new National Development Plan, with an unprecedented investment in infrastructure.
We have introduced Budget 2026, followed by departmental sectoral plans, and last week we launched our new National Housing Plan.
The Government remains focused on delivering on the Programme for Government we agreed at the start of this year, and I wish Paschal all the very best in his new role.”
Lord Mayor of Dublin and Fine Gael councillor Ray McAdam said Mr Donohoe had been an “intellectual powerhouse for both party and country,” Ellen Coyne reports.
“Always better prepared than anyone else in the room, always willing to do the hard work, and always focused on how decisions made in Government Buildings would affect lives in our own streets and neighbourhoods,” Mr McAdam said.
“Budgets he crafted, choices he made about investing in our economy, our infrastructure and our public services, and the steady way in which he approached shocks like Brexit and the pandemic will be remembered long after the day-to-day noise of politics has faded.”
Mr McAdam, who is now expected by some to run in the upcoming Dublin Central by election, said he “simply would not have achieved what I have in Dublin Central without [Mr Donohoe]. It has been one of the great honours of my political life to work with him for the people we serve.”
Business organisations have congratulated Mr Donohoe on his World Bank appointment.
Danny McCoy the chief executive of employers lobby group Ibec said: “This is a tremendous achievement and a strong endorsement of his exceptional track record, not only as Minister for Finance and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, but also for his decisive leadership and influence as President of the Eurogroup.”
He added: “Minister Donohoe has consistently demonstrated a genuine commitment to understanding the needs of business and fostering effective collaboration between Government and employers for the betterment of our economy.”
Mr McCoy said: “We are deeply grateful for his extensive public service and wish him the very best in this important new global role.”
Chambers Ireland also congratulated Mr Donohoe with its chief executive Ian Talbot saying: “We commend Paschal Donohoe not only for his stewardship during challenging periods, including Brexit and Covid, but also for overseeing a period of exceptional economic growth.”
He also said Mr Donohoe’s “leadership has been instrumental in positioning Ireland as a resilient and forward-looking economy.”
Donohoe to start World Bank job on Monday
The World Bank Group has released a statement confirming that Paschal Donohoe will start his new job as managing director and chief knowledge officer next Monday, November 24th.
Its president Ajay Banga said: “Paschal brings more than twenty years of public service, and knows first-hand how good policies can unleash private capital mobilisation, boost growth, and generate jobs”.
Mr Banga also said Mr Donohoe “brings extensive knowledge of how investors, private sector, financial companies, technology firms, and others operate – from his near decade of experience in the private sector. This combination will be invaluable at ensuring the World Bank Group delivers more impact at scale.”
The World Bank statement highlighted how Mr Donohoe has served as Ireland’s Minister for Finance and as president of the Eurogroup of finance ministers and it also said his “extensive experience” spans both the public and private sectors, including nearly a decade at Procter & Gamble.
The statement also said: “as chief knowledge officer, Mr Donohoe “will lead on shaping, managing, and leveraging the institution’s Knowledge Bank – a force multiplier in the mission to fight poverty and improve quality of life in emerging markets and developing economies.
It added: “He will ensure that the World Bank Group offers its sovereign and private clients proven solutions that can be used at scale, based on the best combination of expertise in regulations, technological advances, and development innovations.”
Mr Donohoe will also be responsible for the World Bank Group’s strategic engagement with governments, civil society, foundations and philanthropies.
Paschal Donohoe is now holding a press conference on his departure as Minister for Finance for a job at the World Bank. He is joined by Minster for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers. As Jack Horgan-Jones reports Mr Donohoe says he has always aimed to build a “better and fairer Ireland”.
Mr Donohoe says his work as Eurogroup president has allowed him to see the “immense value and benefit” of EU membership.
He adds that the opportunity has emerged to further contribute to international co-operation in his new role with the World Bank and “I am therefore departing from public life in Ireland”.
Mr Donohoe thanked his constituents in Dublin Central and Fine Gael members, particularly Tánaiste and leader Simon Harris. He also acknowledges working relationships with Fianna Fáil politicians name checking Michael McGrath, Jack Chambers, and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Tánaiste praises departing colleague and confirms reshuffle of Fine Gael ministers happening today
Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has praised Paschal Donohoe in advance of his departure for a job at the World Bank and confirmed he will announce changes to Fine Gael’s ministerial team today.
He said Mr Donohoe’s new role, managing director and chief knowledge officer of the World Bank Group, “is a position of significant international standing, and is a testament to Paschal’s integrity, expertise, and the high esteem in which he is held both at home and abroad”.
Mr Harris added: “While I always knew this day would come, it is a day of mixed emotion. It is a moment of sadness for the Fine Gael family, but it is also a moment of great pride for Ireland.”
He continued: “Over more than two decades in public life, Paschal Donohoe has served with unwavering dedication” and “he has played a central role in successive Governments”.
Mr Harris said: “His calm and capable stewardship helped guide Ireland through some of the most challenging periods in our recent history – including Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and a period of global economic uncertainty.
“His prudent management of the public finances has underpinned Ireland’s recovery and growth, ensuring that our economy remains resilient and our society continues to prosper.”
Mr Harris also said “Paschal has always placed the national interest above all else. He has been a voice of reason and stability.”
His departing colleague “left an undeniable legacy” for Fine Gael, Mr Harris said, adding: “For me, he has been someone who has been a source of wise counsel, and a valued friend. This will not change.
“I will miss his good humour on the good days, the optimism on the hard days, and his unrelenting support on the worst of days.”
He thanked Mr Donohoe for his “exemplary service” and wished him “every success” in his new role.
Paschal Donohoe is not known as a golfer, but one reported perk for World Bank staff would get the chop if the Trump administration has its way.
The New York Post reported last month that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to sell a golf club it owns in Maryland after it reported that IMF and World Bank staff qualify for discounted memberships.
It reported that initiation fees at the IMF-owned golf course – which range from $12,000 to $20,000 – are automatically waived for all employees on the payroll of the two institutions – though they do pay monthly dues to play there.
There has not been universal praise for Paschal Donohoe as he prepares to depart for his new World Bank job in Washington.
Barra Roantree, an Assistant Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) argued: “Despite his rhetoric, Minister Donohoe’s tenure has been characterised by a recklessness reminiscent of Charlie McCreevy during the Celtic Tiger. He has overseen rapid increases in expenditure alongside deep cuts to taxes, especially before elections. All this was facilitated by booming corporation tax receipts which cannot last forever.”
Meanwhile, long-time tax justice campaigner Sorley McCaughey said: “To many tax justice campaigners around the world, Paschal Donohoe was the embodiment of Irish resistance to efforts to reform the global financial system in a way that would allow developing countries to plot their own development path financed by their own resources. The irony of his appointment will not be lost on those very same developing countries that in his new role he will be expected to support.
“For many, the appointment of a Minister for Finance of a country that many people outside of Ireland consider to be a tax haven, will also be further evidence of the often problematic role the World Bank plays in global development.”
Here is some more re-shuffleology from Jack Horgan-Jones: Helen McEntee is also expected to be appointed as Minister for Defence if, as expected, Tánaiste Simon Harris vacates that role and the job of Minister for Foreign Affairs to take over from Mr Donohoe at Finance. This will mark the first time in the history of the State that there has been a woman minister in either foreign affairs or defence.
Speculation as to her successor as Minister for Education is narrowing on Galway West’s Hildegarde Naughton, currently a super junior minister in the Department of Children and a former Government chief whip.
Given Fine Gael is losing a Dublin TD at ministerial level, Dublin Rathdown’s Neale Richmond and Dublin Mid-West’s Emer Higgins are being mentioned in dispatches as well.
News of Donohoe’s departure has been circulating within a tight group at the top of Government in recent weeks.
After he was linked to the top job at the IMF in March 2024, senior party figures always felt there was a possibility that he could leave before the next general election. However, he resolved to run again in last November’s contest.
While it had been hoped that Donohoe would not leave until the changeover in the Taoiseach’s position, such roles as that with the World Bank do not come up frequently or necessarily at opportune times.
Who could run in the Dublin Central byelection?
The mini-reshuffle is believed to be imminent, but another consequence of Mr Donohoe’s departure will be a byelection in Dublin Central.
It could be some time away as byelections do not have to be called for as long as six months after a TD has resigned.
But the four-seat Dublin Central was a fascinating constituency in the last general election and may well prove so again. There was drama in that election as Labour’s Marie Sherlock took the final seat on the 11th count, edging out veteran gangland figure Gerard ‘The Monk’ Hutch who put in a strong performance that shocked the political establishment. Could he be interested in running again?
Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam is a close ally of Mr Donohoe and he represents the North Inner City on Dublin City Council. The Fine Gael councillor would be seen as a potential successor to the outgoing TD.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald topped the poll in Dublin Central in the general election last year, though her running mate Janice Boylan did not fare so well as she was eliminated after the second count. The constituency is Ms McDonald’s backyard, and with the party leader not in the race herself, a Sinn Féin candidate would be expected to do well.
Fianna Fáil Senator Mary Fitzpatrick has made a number of Dáil bids in the constituency but is yet to get over the line. Could the byelection be her chance?
Of course, all of this is highly speculative with the byelection not likely to happen for months.
Social Democrats Dublin Central TD Gary Gannon said the Social Democrats party was ready for a byelection in the Dublin Central constituency in the wake of the resignation of Mr Donohoe.
They have three local councillors, Cat O’Driscoll, Daniel Ennis, and Karl Stanley, whom Mr Gannon described as “fairly high profile potential candidates”, as well as some “interesting” people among the party’s members.
He told RTÉ Radio: “The selection process for the Social Democrats in Dublin and Central in and of itself will be highly competitive, I promise you.”
Speculation mounting on mini-reshuffle of ministers
While Mr Donohoe’s departure has not yet been officially announced, speculation is already mounting as to how the resulting mini-reshuffle of ministers will play out.
Just who will take over as Minister for Finance – a job second in importance only to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste in terms of power and prestige in the Government?
As Jack Horgan-Jones reports, the early expectation is that Tánaiste Simon Harris will take over as Minister for Finance. That would open up his position as Minister for Foreign Affairs – with early chatter heavily backing Minister for Education and Fine Gael deputy leader Helen McEntee for the job.
However, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke is also seen as a possible contender. A promotion to a full Cabinet position is also on the cards for a Fine Gael TD – with favourites likely to be drawn from current ministers of state.
The mini-reshuffle could happen as early as today.
Some of Paschal Donohoe’s Fine Gael colleagues have been on the airwaves wishing him well, as Vivienne Clarke reports.
Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy TD has expressed his “delight” at the appointment of Mr Donohoe to a senior position in the World Bank. Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Today with David McCullagh show, Mr Brophy described Mr Donohoe as one of his longest friends, someone he had known since his teen years. The appointment was a “wonderful recognition” of Mr Donohoe’s abilities, he said.
Later on the same programme, Minister of State for Small Business Alan Dillon described the news of Mr Donohoe’s new job as “a really significant development”. “Can I firstly acknowledge Paschal’s exceptional job as Minister for Finance.”
As for what will happen in Government, Mr Dillon said: “It’s now a matter for the party leaders, and I know you know Tánaiste Simon Harris has always emphasised stability and continuity in Government and I know he will approach this transition with that same focus.
“Paschal’s contribution to Government and to Ireland’s economic success has been outstanding and I want to wish him every success in his new global role.”
There has been some bombshell news from Government Buildings this morning as it emerged that Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is to step down as Minister for Finance and take up a position at the World Bank.
As Political Editor Pat Leahy reports, it is understood that Mr Donohoe has been offered the role of managing director – one of the most senior positions at the bank.
He has informed Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris that he will accept it.
He will step down from his position as Minister for Finance on Tuesday and resign as a TD later this week.
There will be a reshuffle of Fine Gael ministers and a byelection in Mr Donohoe’s Dublin Central constituency.
