Ministers forecast rival Limerick TDs will 'eat each other alive' in Harris's new Cabinet

Another senior member of Government described the west Limerick tension between both men as 'not ideal'

Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Taoiseach Simon Harris and Leader of the Green Party Eamon Ryan surrounded by the junior ministers of the Cabinet. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

An “all-out war” has been predicted between two Limerick constituency rivals who have been put into the same Government department.

Eyebrows have been raised across Government at Simon Harris's decision to appoint Fine Gael's Patrick O'Donovan as the senior minister in the Department of Higher Education as it means he joins fellow Limerickman and Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins who was already in the junior role.