Take your places
— deputy leader and spokeswoman on environment and local government.
A senior minister since 2004 having previously served as Government chief whip for two years prior to that. Under pressure to retain her seat in Dun Laoghaire, where her frontbench colleague, Barry Andrews, is also running.
— spokesman on finance.
A senior minister since 2007, and Finance Minister since 2008. Represents Dublin West and his seat appears to be safe. But has taken a lot of flak over his handling of the economic crisis and his communication of the EU/IMF bailout, not least from his own colleagues.
— spokesman on justice & law reform.
Government chief whip since 2008 and seen as a capable performer. Represents Dublin Mid-West, where the party will expect him to retain his seat. No surprise he is on the frontbench.
— spokesman on health & children.
Children’s Minister since 2008 and has been criticised for his handling of several controversies that arose on his watch. Also represents Dun Laoghaire and will be locked in battle with his own deputy leader for what appears to be just one FF seat in the constituency.
— spokeswoman on education & skills.
The Tánaiste has been a senior minister since 2002, and though seen as gaffe-prone, is retained by Mr Martin. Represents Donegal South-West and yesterday put to bed speculation that she would not run in the election. But has a battle on her hands to retain her seat.
— spokesman on social protection.
A senior minister since 2002 and came second to Mr Martin in the recent Fianna Fáil leadership contest. Represents Galway West, and his seat is considered safe, given his reputation as a politician who has done a lot for the west.
— spokesman on enterprise, employment & innovation.
First appointed to the Dáil in 2007 and Brian Cowen made him a junior minister responsible for public sector reform last year. Represents Mayo, where the task of retaining his seat has been made easier by the decision of another FF TD, Beverly Flynn, not to run.
— spokesman on agriculture, fisheries & food.
A senior minister since 2008, but something of the quiet man in the FF party, not enjoying the high-profile of other ministers. Represents Cavan-Monaghan and is expected to retain his seat.
— spokesman on tourism & arts.
A senator since 2002 and son of former Finance Minister Ray McSharry. Regarded highly within the party as an intelligent and progressive young politician. Running for the Dáil in the Sligo-North Leitrim constituency.
The Limerick West TD was first elected in 2007 and has not previously served in a frontbench capacity for the party, but again is viewed as having ministerial ability. Should retain his seat in the constituency, which is being renamed Limerick, but it’s not a foregone conclusion.
— spokesman on community, equality & Gaeltacht affairs.
A senior minister since last year, but served as Government chief whip for two years before that. Represents Dublin North-West, and his chances of retaining his seat improved dramatically when his party colleague, sitting TD Noel Ahern, announced he would not run again.
— spokesman on communications, energy & natural resources.
The biggest eye-opener in Mr Martin’s selection, Mr O’Dea is a former long-serving Cabinet member who had to stand down as Defence Minister after smearing a political rival. Represents Limerick East, which is being renamed Limerick City, and should be comfortably reelected.
— spokesman on transport.
A junior minister for several years, Mr Kelleher was frequently wheeled out to defend the Government in recent times. Represents Cork North Central, and his chances of retaining his seat were also boosted by the decision of a party colleague, sitting TD Noel O’Flynn, not to run again.
— spokesman on foreign affairs & trade.
Another junior minister who is regarded well in the party but whose seat looks in jeopardy in the election. Also represents Limerick East, and will be hoping constituency colleague Willie O’Dea pulls in a large enough vote to send badly needed transfers his way.
— spokeswoman on political reform.
A surprise appointment, given Ms Power is not even a councillor and therefore leapfrogs TDs and senators with much better claims to a frontbench position. But as a special advisor to Mary Hanafin for several years, knows both Government and the party inside out. Running for the Dáil in Dublin North-East but faces a tall order to get elected.
— spokesman on financial sector reform.
Despite being first elected only in 2007, Mr McGrath made an instant impression and is viewed as one of the party’s best young TDs. It’s widely felt he would have been made a junior minister but for the fact he had a senior minister as his constituency colleague — namely Mr Martin. McGrath’s seat is undoubtedly at risk but Mr Martin’s elevated profile as party leader may help him on the transfer front.
— spokesman on public sector reform.
First elected to the Dáil in 1997, and formerly an accountant, he has been frequently overlooked for ministerial roles, despite the fact he was once financial director of Fianna Fáil, served as chair of the Oireachtas finance committee and is generally regarded as having excellent credentials. Represents Laois-Offaly and should be able to retain his seat
— spokesman on sport.
First elected in 2007 and is another of the “younger generation” within Fianna Fáil. Formerly a financial manager with Friends First. But his seat looks in jeopardy in Dublin North.
— spokesman on small business.
The rebel backbencher, as he is frequently tagged, McGuinness doesn’t believe in blind loyalty to the party leader and had no hesitation criticising Brian Cowen at length. As a result, Mr Cowen sacked him as a junior minister. This represents something of a reprieve for the Carlow-Kilkenny TD, although it’s entirely possible Mr Martin has appointed him to the frontbench just to keep a potential critic onside.
— spokeswoman on housing & urban development.
A hard-working councillor, she was famously shafted by then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the 2007 general election, who succeeded in getting his ally Cyprian Brady elected with him in Dublin Central at the expense of Ms Fitzpatrick. She may have the last laugh at this election, however, as Mr Brady looks vulnerable and Mr Ahern won’t be around to save him.
— legal adviser to the frontbench and spokesman on constitutional reform.
Another councillor who has tried and failed to get elected to the Dáil for the party in Dublin South-East. Brother of RTÉ broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan.
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