Walsh calls time ahead of Cabinet reshuffle

JOE WALSH yesterday followed his colleague Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy by announcing his forthcoming resignation from the Cabinet, as Agriculture Minister.

This preempted his widely anticipated sacking in the upcoming reshuffle.

The pair behind the now infamous Punchestown affair will both depart the Cabinet at the end of September and while Mr Walsh will remain a TD for Cork South-West, he will not be contesting the next general election.

Mr Walsh’s voluntary departure, just the day after Mr McCreevy was appointed EU Internal Market Commissioner, gives Taoiseach Bertie Ahern more room to manoeuvre. Before he even starts to axe ministers, Mr Ahern can now introduce two new faces to the Cabinet line-up.

Leading the tributes, Mr Ahern said he knew of Mr Walsh’s decision since last Christmas and described the foot-and-mouth crisis as Mr Walsh’s finest hour in a unique tenure.

Fine Gael agriculture spokesman Billy Timmins, Labour agriculture spokeswoman Mary Upton and Fianna Fáil Deputy Government Chief Whip Billy Kelleher praised Mr Walsh’s 15 years in the Department of Agriculture, including 10 years as a senior minister.

But it was widely believed that Mr Walsh was going to be dropped anyway, especially after he came in for criticism from FF backbenchers following the local and European elections and his sacking was first called for last summer by FF Cork East TD Ned O’Keeffe.

Denying he was only reappointed to the Cabinet in 2002 after prominent businessmen lobbied on his behalf, Mr Walsh said he felt the time was right.

Mr Walsh’s official confirmation that he won’t be running in the next election will also spark a contest in west Cork to replace him on the FF ticket. FF Cork county councillors Alan Coleman from Bandon and Donal O’Rourke from Clonakilty head the field of potential runners, with speculation also surrounding a former Cork Gaelic football star, but Fine Gael and Labour will be challenging strongly for the seat.

Within minutes of the announcement, Noel Dempsey was installed as favourite to replace Mr Walsh, with John O’Donoghue, Éamon Ó Cuiv, Dick Roche and Tony Killeen also mentioned.