Gilmore under pressure over cabinet post

TÁNAISTE Eamon Gilmore’s leadership style came under fire from some of his backbenchers last night, as he prepared finally to unveil his new Cabinet choice.

With Labour TDs already jittery after a dramatic post-budget plunge in the polls, Mr Gilmore’s selection of the new “super-junior” minister, expected at tomorrow’s cabinet meeting, was being eyed closely.

Second-tier ministers in the running for the Cabinet seat — left vacant by the storming out of Willie Penrose five weeks ago over the announced closure of the army barracks in Mullingar — include Alan Kelly, Roisín Shortall, Jan O’Sullivan and Sean Sherlock.

However, backbenchers have expressed fears of widespread discontent if Mr Kelly gets the nod.

The former Munster MEP’s elevation to junior transport minister on his entry to the Dáil in March ruffled feathers and a swift rise to Cabinet rank would ensure trouble, according to one prominent TD.

“It looks like all this has been delayed because Mr Gilmore knew an immediate promotion of Alan Kelly after Willie Penrose’s resignation would have prompted a pre-budget revolt.”

Another commented: “A Kelly appointment will get people wondering whether it is the party machine — the apparatchiks — calling the shots, or Mr Gilmore.”

However, friends of Mr Kelly insisted he had a great deal of experience at European and national level.

Mr Gilmore drew fire over his Cabinet selection in March, particularly the perceived demotion of Joan Burton from her role as Labour’s finance spokesperson to social protection minister. The appointment of Mr Penrose to the housing brief was also unpopular and he was criticised by colleagues for never making the mortgage debt crisis a key plank of Labour’s agenda in Government.

Mr Gilmore has a number of options to play with as he could give the “super junior” post — which does not command a vote at Cabinet — to a different portfolio than housing.

Among those likely to be promoted in the wake of such a move are Ciarán Lynch or Dominic Hannigan. However, one deputy warned discontent was growing with Mr Gilmore: “If this appointment is seen to have been handled badly, then I think people will start getting a lot more assertive generally.”