Harris 'has to look at Cork as a counterbalance to Dublin' in ministerial ranks

The outgoing minister of state for public health said there is a significant argument for Cork to be well-represented at ministerial and junior ministerial level

Terry Murphy, the head of research at Fine Gael, opens a ballot box of votes on the draft programme for Government, at the Fine Gael HQ on Mount St, Dublin, on Monday. Picture: Gareth Chaney/PA

Cork could see two of its newly elected TDs promoted to the ministerial ranks in a bid to "counterbalance" Fine Gael's strong representation in Dublin.

Fine Gael has been left without a senior minister across the entire Cork region after the departure of Simon Coveney. Former Munster-based ministers Michael Creed, David Stanton, and Brendan Griffin also exited politics in November.

Speculation is mounting that first-time TD John Paul O'Shea could be appointed to the junior ministerial benches, and Simon Harris could also promote former senator Jerry Buttimer to ensure there is geographical balance within the party ranks.

While the outgoing minister of state for public health, Colm Burke, is hoping to be promoted to Cabinet — as he strongly believes Cork should have a senior representative from Fine Gael — others in the party have downplayed his chances.

Mr Burke has said there is a significant argument for Cork to be well-represented at ministerial and junior ministerial level given 11 TDs from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil were returned in the general election.

Experience

With 17 years experience in Leinster House, and having served as leader of the Seanad in the last Oireachtas, some in the party believe that Mr Buttimer would be disappointed not to receive a junior minister position — with one suggesting that he has the most experience of all those elected in November who did not serve in the last Dáil.

"Geography is an important piece, but ability and experience is also an important piece," one Fine Gael TD said.

One Fine Gael representative suggested that Mr Burke may be demoted to make way for another Munster-based representative.

"I think Colm Burke will lose out, he is a great thinker, but I don't think he is a great communicator," said the Fine Gael TD from outside the Munster region.

The source suggested that Mr Buttimer could replace Mr Burke, but Mr O'Shea could also be added as a minister of state.

"My view is that he will keep Patrick O'Donovan in Limerick, he will keep Kieran O'Donnell in Limerick."

However, one source suggested that Mr O'Donovan — who had been in higher education in the last Dáil — is a "blunt instrument" and should not be retained.

'Grow our vote'

"He [Simon Harris] has to look at Cork as a counterbalance to Dublin. It has got five constituencies we can grow our vote there," said one party source.

"You cannot let Cork become a wasteland," the source said.

It comes as Fine Gael TDs and senators overwhelmingly voted to ratify the programme for Government with 93.9% in favour. The party declined to offer the number of votes that were cast in the vote.

Mr Harris said he was pleased that members voted to deliver a programme for Government "to secure Ireland's future".

"We will enter this Government with an absolute determination to deliver support for small businesses, more homes and homeownership, and a radically different approach to disability services.

"We will always back farmers and rural Ireland," Mr Harris said.

With both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil having accepted the deal, the path is now clear for Micheál Martin to be voted in as the Taoiseach when the Dáil resumes on Wednesday. The Cabinet appointments are due to be announced within hours of his appointment.