Smith tipped to take agriculture post

MICHAEL Smith was tipped yesterday to become the next Minister for Agriculture.

Rather than the Minister for Defence being next in the Cabinet firing line, Fianna Fáil sources said Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan has far more to be worried about when the Taoiseach’s axe falls.

“My opinion is that Michael Smith will hang on. Agriculture is a difficult position to fill as it is problematic so no one wants it and he is well suited to that area,” one source said.