Reshuffle may retrieve votes for FF

REALPOLITIK or a bolt from the blue? That question was exercising the minds of politicians and pundits alike last night following Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s surprise appointment of Meath TD Mary Wallace as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture.

In the aftermath of the forced resignation of Junior Minister Ivor Callely, who fell on his sword under pressure from the Taoiseach amid controversy over staff morale at his office, the perceived wisdom was that a replacement minister would emerge from Dublin's northside.

The informed betting was that either Sean Haughey or Jim Glennon would get the nod.