Rabbitte steps out of the shadows to eye cabinet post

IN some ways, Pat Rabbitte should belong to the past.

Former party leaders are not usually expected to figure large in future governments. But Rabbitte is highly regarded — if not necessarily loved — on all sides of Leinster House, and it is a given that he will be in line for one of the most important cabinet slots if, as expected, Labour and Fine Gael form a coalition after the election.

But which slot?