Taoiseach will try balance geography and gender with talent and loyalty when picking ministers of state

TWELVE ministers of state are expected to be appointed by the Government at today’s cabinet meeting, writes Gerard Howlin. 

These are in addition to the three named by the Taoiseach in the Dáil last Friday. In the coming weeks the Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin leaders will reshuffle their front benches. While the Government is legally responsible for appointing ministers of state, in effect, they are picked by the Taoiseach. He has a smaller pool to pick from than before the election; while Micheál Martin and Gerry Adams have enlarged parliamentary parties. Labour will move onto a new leader and attempt to push ahead, on the basis of its seven remaining TDs and five senators.

The politics of picking is intense. It gives shape and expression to vision and direction. Putting the right talent, if you have talent to choose from, determines progress and success up to a point. So of course do events, thence the perennial hunt for lucky generals, or at least ones who can spot pot holes in the dark. What party leaders look for in their ministers and spokespeople are politicians who will deliver on the issues; lift the party brand; reflect well on the leader; and critically, never ever threaten his hegemony. It is essential to have ambition, up to a point. Paranoia is an essential quality in politics.