Ahern 'available to meet' Haughey over reshuffle snub

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said he is available to meet Sean Haughey to discuss his decision not to give the Dublin North Central TD a junior ministerial role.

Mr Ahern has been criticised by a number of Fianna Fáil backbenchers for snubbing Mr Haughey in the reshuffle he announced on Tuesday.

Mr Haughey had been widely tipped to replace Ivor Callely as junior minister. The Taoiseach's spokesperson said the long delays in filling the vacancy had stemmed from a row over the Fisheries Bill and the need to transfer Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher from the Department of the Marine.

Sean Haughey has now said he is considering his political future as a result of the Taoiseach's snub.