O’Sullivan favourite to get education post after Quinn’s shock departure
It has also emerged that a portfolio swap between the coalition parties is very much on the cards as part of the pending Cabinet reshuffle.
It comes as sources in Brussels say they are expecting Ireland to nominate Environment Minister Phil Hogan as its next commissioner and to seek the agriculture portfolio.
Mr Quinn’s preemptive resignation yesterday, ahead of the reshuffle, has fuelled speculation about who will get the call-up when positions are distributed.
Ms O’Sullivan, the housing minister, was last night favourite from Labour’s side to take over from Mr Quinn, party sources said.
But there is a growing chance of the parties swapping at least one department when negotiations on the reshuffle begin next week.
Mr Quinn’s early resignation announcement was seen as “helpful” by Joan Burton, the social protection minister, who is expected to win a vote as Labour’s new leader tomorrow, sources said.
“It’s one less awkward conversation for her to have,” a source explained.
Ms Burton was expected to drop him from Cabinet.
Mr Quinn said his decision to step down had come a “bit sooner” than he might have liked but it would help clear a path for the next generation in Labour. He will also not run for the next Dáil.
Ms O’Sullivan is a strong contender to succeed Mr Quinn given her role as education spokeswoman when in opposition and the fact she is a qualified teacher.
Another alternative may be Alex White, the junior health minister and the other leadership candidate. His elevation will depend on the extent of his vote in the leadership count.
Ms Burton is also expected to drop Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte and Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore from Cabinet when talks open with Taoiseach Enda Kenny after the vote.
While Mr Gilmore wants the post of Ireland’s next EU commissioner in Brussels, sources last night said it was now looking more likely it would go to Mr Hogan.
Some Labour TDs oppose the idea of Mr Gilmore getting the lucrative post after the party’s dismal election results as well as the prospect of fighting a difficult by-election in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin.
Mr Gilmore used his last address as leader at the party’s parliamentary meeting last night to say he would have a role to play in Labour and would work with his successor.
