A Cabinet reshuffle before Enda shuffles off to Europe?

ENDA Kenny is a tad cannier than we thought, if his reshuffle kerfuffle is anything to go by.

The Taoiseach deftly moved attention away from speculation he was heading for an exit from the Irish political stage, after being touted for a top Euro job, by re-roasting the old Christmas chestnut of a Cabinet carve-up.

That such a shake-up is at least nine months away leaves Mr Kenny pregnant with the political initiative within the Coalition. By stating that he is embarrassed by the extravagance of talent on his back benches (who knew?), Mr Kenny ensures that the lobby fodder-sheep on the outside of the Cabinet pen will be even more obsequious than usual until September, while Cabinet colleagues will be anxious to please, lest they be sheared of their responsibilities come the autumn.