Opposition to re-jig teams ahead of new Dáil term

OPPOSITION leaders Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte are finalising major shake-ups of their front bench teams ahead of the new Dáil term.

Both are expected to unveil revamped shadow cabinets early next month ready to take on a rejuvenated Government when the Oireachtas returns in late September.

Mr Kenny faces the tricky task of rewarding strong performers in the election campaign while giving a leg-up to many of the new intake of TDs who now number half the parliamentary party.

Brian Hayes is tipped to take over the demanding justice portfolio after covering health since his return to the Dáil in May.

Current law and order spokesman Jim O’Keeffe is seen to have done a competent job, but despite putting a huge emphasis on crime in the run-up to the general election campaign, the party was viewed to have allowed former Justice Minister Michael McDowell to make most of the running.

An own goal over crime statistics allowed Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to score easy points during the pivotal election TV debate, though this error was due more to Mr Kenny’s evident lack of preparation for the crucial encounter than Mr O’Keeffe’s original blunder in conceding some FF success in reducing offences.

Also, Olwyn Enright is perceived as having been a weak counter-point to Education Minister Mary Hanafin and is likely to be moved sideways.

Dr Leo Varadkar is a front runner to take over the health portfolio after previous spokesman Dr Liam Twomey unexpectedly lost his seat in May.

Richard Bruton is likely to remain in post as finance spokesman after showing an assured mastery of his brief in the last Dáil.

However, his debating skills in the chamber failed to sell the party’s economic strategy to crucial voters in the commuter and “baby belts” around Dublin and other cities.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte’s biggest task will be filling the justice portfolio left vacant by Brendan Howlin’s elevation to the post of Leas-Cheann Comhairle in the Dáil.

Though keen to give high-profile positions to the relatively young new intake, the post will go to a more experienced pair of hands.

Deputy leader Liz McManus and finance spokeswoman Joan Burton would both be well placed to take over the key job.

Ms Burton is believed to have been sidelined by the leadership on major economic policy decisions in the past, such as the audacious plan to slice two percent off income tax, and may be due for a move away from shadowing Brian Cowen despite putting in a solid performance in the run-up to the election.