Gallagher expected to be moved from Marine Department

PAT ‘The Cope’ Gallagher is likely to be transferred from the Marine Ministry as a result of an escalating row within Fianna Fáil over new Sea Fisheries legislation.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will name the long-awaited replacement for deposed junior minister Ivor Callely at the weekly Cabinet meeting today. Sean Haughey, the son of the former Taoiseach Charles Haughey, has been widely tipped for promotion.

There were strong indications last night that Mr Ahern will also take the opportunity to transfer Mr Gallagher from his present ‘super-junior’ portfolio, possibly to the Department of Transport.