Elaine Loughlin: McEntee needs to raise her game to win back party trust

Regardless of whether the growing rumblings come from a place of concern, cynicism, sexism, or even jealousy, any undercurrent has the potential to destabilise a minster

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee during the controversial walkabout in Dublin last month. Also pictured are Angie Willis, Garda assistant commissioner Dublin Metropolitan region; Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe, and Pat McMenamin, Chief Superintendent.

Helen McEntee has been largely untested up until now, but she must step up, and quickly, to maintain the support and respect of her colleagues.

The usually astute minister has made several blunders in recent weeks. Telling fatigued gardaí that there is no issue with morale in the force did not go down well with members and insisting that she felt safe in Dublin’s inner-city after a number of high-profile attacks resulted in criticism that she was out of touch.