FG reshuffle - Gamble may return to haunt Kenny

THAT reshuffles are political minefields, even for the Opposition, was abundantly clear from yesterday’s angry reaction at Fine Gael’s surprise promotion of the party’s newest recruit, Dr Liam Twomey, to the Health portfolio.

Never a man to mince his words, Mayo’s Michael Ring was “gutted” to be off the party's front bench. Unsurprisingly, after 25 years in Fine Gael he declined the marine portfolio, describing it as a demotion, especially since Dr Twomey, the ex-Independent Wexford TD, is only two weeks in the fold.

Whether the Twomey gamble pays off could yet come to haunt party leader Enda Kenny despite being left short of talent in the aftermath of Fine Gael’s election disaster. Nonetheless, David Stanton should bring a cutting edge to Social Welfare, while Dennis Naughton will punch above his weight in Agriculture and Bernard Allen will be sound in Foreign Affairs.