Mix of old and new in Enda Kenny’s likely cabinet

With the vote for Taoiseach called for today, attention has already swung as to who will occupy the 15 cabinet seats and what ministries they will occupy.

Enda Kenny as Taoiseach looks set to re-appoint Michael Noonan to finance, Leo Varadkar to health, and Frances Fitzgerald to justice, while Simon Coveney, Paschal Donohoe, Richard Bruton, and Heather Humphreys all look likely to remain.

The word is that Mr Donohoe will move from transport to become public expenditure minister, while Mr Coveney has been linked with environment.

Outgoing junior finance minister Simon Harris looks assured of a promotion to the senior cabinet, being linked with the Department of Social Protection. Meath East TD Regina Doherty is also tipped for a post.

Frances Fitzgerald looks set to be promoted to tánaiste. Meath West TD Damien English and Dublin Bay South TD Eoghan Murphy have been linked with the chief whip, but Mr Murphy is assured of promotion to the junior ranks.

As for the Independents, they look set to get four of the 15 cabinet seats. Rural Alliance TD Denis Naughten is tipped for the Department of Rural Affairs. Co Clare TD Michael Harty has also been tipped to be made a junior minister, as has Kerry TD Michael Healy Rae.

Dublin South West TD Katherine Zappone, who broke ranks with her fellow Independents to support Mr Kenny, is to be rewarded with a cabinet seat, being linked to the position of children’s minister.

As for the Independent Alliance, Shane Ross looks set to take one of the two seats at the Cabinet while the other seat could go to Roscommon TD Michael Fitzmaurice or Galway East TD Sean Canney. Dublin Bay North TD Finian McGrath and Longford TD Kevin Boxer Moran have both been tipped for junior ministerial promotions.