Paul Hosford: Return of the Mc(Entee) enables Varadkar to breathe sigh of relief

With the Cabinet back to full strength, the next six to eight months will be vital for Fine Gael as it aims to reclaim the taoiseach’s office on as strong a footing as possible to counteract the Sinn Féin tide

Paul Hosford: While everyone acknowledges that both Ms McEntee’s and Further Education Minister Simon Harris’s use of leave for the birth of their children is a positive move for them personally and for the message it sends to the wider community, Mr Varadkar said it left a lot of work for his party.

Welcome back, Helen McEntee. The justice minister returns to her role this week after six months' maternity leave and, in doing so, sees Fine Gael with a full complement at the Cabinet table.

While all in Government, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar included, have praised the work of Heather Humphreys in taking on the portfolio for the last half a year,
Mr Varadkar pointed to his side being a little short-handed at the Cabinet last Friday.