Tánaiste rejects reshuffle claims and vows to hold onto ministry

UNDER-FIRE Tánaiste Mary Coughlan yesterday made what amounted to a public plea to keep her job as speculation she would be made to carry the can for the Government’s election rout intensified.

The Trade and Employment Minister insisted the Taoiseach had never accused her of being out of her depth in the role and there were no plans for a cabinet reshuffle.

However, Ms Coughlan went out of her way to counter criticism from within Fianna Fáil that she has failed in her key economic position.