Kenny to offer Bruton new role

REVIVED Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny is prepared to offer defeated rebel Richard Bruton a return to the front bench in exchange for a pledge of absolute loyalty.

Mr Kenny postponed naming his new frontbench for another week to allow him time to assess his options.

However, he said he did not have “a bitter bone in his body” and would look to appoint the most able people in the party, even if they were among the rebel faction.

“Everybody who wants to make a contribution, we will see can we accommodate all that.

“I want to move on now not just in a spirit of unity but also in a spirit of strength,” he said.

After his victory Mr Kenny said he was prepared to use all the talents available to the party, regardless of the stance individuals took during the brief power struggle.

This was understood to indicate his desire to keep Mr Bruton’s financial acumen at close quarters.

However, Mr Bruton is not expected to be offered the finance portfolio even if he decides to take up a job again. He would likely be handed a less prestigious position.

The former finance spokesman had left the door open for a return. He said frontbench positions were a matter for the party leader. And he would not reiterate his stance earlier in the week that he could never again serve on a front bench while Mr Kenny was the leader. Mr Kenny returned to Mayo yesterday evening but asked supporters not to light bonfires in celebration. The party was concerned these celebratory gestures would antagonise those he vanquished this week.

He is scheduled to travel to Belfast on Monday to meet political leaders in the North's assembly and Northern secretary Owen Paterson.

Mr Kenny will travel with two high profile figures from the rebel camp – Brian Hayes and Fergus O’Dowd.

He said he will then take the remainder of next week to decide who will sit in his shadow cabinet. “[The announcement] won’t be next week; probably the week after,” he said.

Mr Bruton’s fellow rebel Mr O’Dowd encouraged him and other defectors to take spokesmen’s jobs if they are offered. Mr O’Dowd said he would “love” to serve in any role offered to him by the man the parliamentary party decided was the leader.

Earlier, Mr Kenny’s chief strategist, Deputy Phil Hogan, said he would like to see the new front bench have faces from both sides of the divide.