Kenny eyes move to elevate senators to cabinet table

Enda Kenny has signalled that senators could be made ministers in the next government if he is returned as taoiseach at the next election.

Mr Kenny also said that he wanted an equal number of men and women in the Cabinet if the current Coalition is re-elected.

During his end-of-year interview with journalists, he reiterated his wish that both Fine Gael and Labour would make up the numbers after the next general election to form a government.

“I’d like to think that that election would give us, and I expect my party to be the largest party in government and my preference is for a return of this government, that is, Fine Gael and Labour,” said Mr Kenny.

Positions in the next Cabinet would be split equally between men and women, he pledged.

“I’d like to think that we could have a situation based on merit, either way now, that you’d have an equal number of men and women in that Cabinet,” said Mr Kenny. “Seven of each. And If I’m elected myself, to be Taoiseach of that.”

However, he also said he would consider elevating members of the Upper House to government positions, as was done in previous years.

“But also to look at the question of giving serious consideration in particular circumstances to the facility that exists within the Senate for the appointment of particular kinds of people who might be able to do a particular job, as happened before, back in the time of the late Garret FitzGerald. We’d give consideration to that.”

As taoiseach, Mr FitzGerald appointed Fine Gael senator James Dooge to his cabinet as foreign affairs minister in 1981. He was only the second senator ever to be appointed to cabinet.

There was much speculation earlier this year that the Coalition, during its Cabinet reshuffle, would appoint a Labour senator to the ranks of minister, only months after Mr Kenny had moved to abolish the Upper House in a referendum.

Meanwhile, Tánaiste Joan Burton has ruled out any cut to the State pension following reports that officials are considering cuts to basic rates.

A review by the Department of Public Expenditure expressed concern about the future of contributory and non-contributory State pensions and related schemes for older people.

In the face of demographic pressures, the review suggested “the option to reduce basic rates” to sustain pension schemes.

Responding to the reports, Ms Burton yesterday ruled out any such change to State pensions during the remainder of the lifetime of this Government.

“Pensions account for the single largest block of welfare expenditure, and while expenditure on pensions is increasing because of demographic pressures, this is being successfully managed within the overall welfare budget, which continues to fall,” Ms Burton said.

“The discussion paper referred to does not represent official Government policy, which is to protect the State pension given its enormous importance to older people.

“There is absolutely no question of any reductions to weekly pension rates.”