Alison O'Connor: McGrath could use his finance role to win party leadership in contest

Michael McGrath seen as a 'safe pair of hands' to take over party leadership but there are other contenders

Paschal Donohoe with Michael McGrath. The latter could use his new position of finance minister to boost his chances of becoming FF party leader. Picture: PA

ALMOST all eyes are on the switch in the top job but another significant swap is also taking place on Friday. In the edifice that is Government Buildings, the ministers for finance and public expenditure and reform also change seats as part of the reshuffle.

The exiting finance minister leaves that department with a high standing. Paschal Donohoe steered the country economically in an extremely able manner and with compassion. There was a once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic, before almost immediately having to deal with the fallout of Russia invading Ukraine. Not to mention Brexit.