Haughey favourite for junior minister’s job

FIANNA Fáil TDs expect no surprises when Taoiseach Bertie Ahern names a replacement for resigning Junior Minister Síle de Valera next week.

Ms de Valera steps down from her post as Minister of State at the Department of Education today.

Dublin North-Central TD Sean Haughey, son of the late Taoiseach Charles Haughey, is the favourite to succeed her.

Mr Ahern will announce his decision on Tuesday.

The Taoiseach stunned Fianna Fáil in February when he overlooked Mr Haughey and instead chose Meath TD Mary Wallace to replace junior minister Ivor Callely, who had resigned amid controversy the previous December.

The parliamentary party had considered Mr Haughey the overwhelming favourite for the vacant position, which in turn fuelled media speculation to the same effect. Neither Mr Ahern nor his officials did anything to dampen that speculation.

When Mr Ahern’s decision to promote Ms Wallace was announced, several TDs, including Jim Glennon and Pat Carey, expressed criticism of the way in which the appointment was handled.

Mr Haughey also made clear his annoyance at the way he was treated.

“I certainly had it from sources close to the Taoiseach that I was in line for promotion, so it was a disappointment yesterday when the announcement was made,” he told RTÉ Radio the day after being overlooked.

Mr Haughey said, at the time, he would consider his future in politics, stating: “If I’m likely to be in line for promotion in future, I’ll stay; if I’m not, I won’t.”

But a subsequent meeting with Mr Ahern defused the situation. Neither man would say whether they had agreed a deal on future promotion. However, within days of that meeting, Ms de Valera confirmed she would step down this month.

A senior Fianna Fáil TD yesterday said the feeling within the parliamentary party was that Mr Haughey would definitely be promoted this time round.

Overlooking Mr Haughey a second time would risk bursting the feel-good factor created by the budget.

Ms de Valera’s decision to stand down, meanwhile, marks the end of 10 years in government. She served as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands from 1997 to 2002, before being appointed to her current position at the Department of Education.

A granddaughter of former Taoiseach Eamon de Valera, she will not contest the next general election.