Defence Minister Smith will not step down on age basis

The Minister for Defence, Michael Smith, has indicated that he will not be stepping down from office after the resignation of the Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh yesterday.

Joe Walsh is stepping down ahead of next month's cabinet reshuffle, creating a second high-level position to be filled now that Charlie McCreevey has moved to Brussels as Ireland's new EU commissioner.

Minister Smith, who is 64 years old, said last night that he was not stepping aside, indicating that his age was not a barrier to staying in office.