Ahern expects de Valera to bow out as Junior Minister

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has hinted that he wants Síle de Valera to step aside as Junior Education Minister before the next general election.

Ms de Valera has already announced her intention not to seek re-election as a Fianna Fáil TD.

In an interview with Clare FM, Mr Ahern says it is traditional within the party that resigning TDs who hold ministerial office stand aside to give someone else a chance ahead of the election.

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach also dismissed suggestions of a row within Fianna Fáil over his junior ministerial reshuffle.

Dublin TD Sean Haughey was expecting to be promoted in the reshuffle, but he was snubbed in favour of Meath TD Mary Wallace and has since said he is considering his political future.

However, Mr Ahern said he had 15 TDs vying for one vacant position and, whatever the outcome, 14 of them would always be disappointed.