Cowen declines to be drawn on Cabinet reshuffle

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has indicated he may not rush to fill the Cabinet vacancy created by the resignation of Willie O'Dea.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has indicated he may not rush to fill the Cabinet vacancy created by the resignation of former Defence Minister Willie O'Dea.

O'De's departure has sparked rumours that Mr Cowen may embark on a wider reshuffle of his ministerial team.

Mr Cowen has however refused to comment on one newspaper report in Cork that Senator Dan Boyle may be called to the Cabinet table.

Speaking in Cavan today Mr Cowen was reluctant to give anything away.

"I said that I'd retain the Department of Defence for the present," Mr Cowen told reporters.

"That's my intention but I wouldn't be signalling anything beyond that."