Speculation mounting over Cabinet reshuffle

Speculation is continuing over an impending reshuffle of the Fianna Fáil cabinet.

According to reports in this morning’s Irish Independent, the Taoiseach will stand by key figures in his Cabinet, despite pressure within Fianna Fail for wide-ranging changes.

Brian Cowen said yesterday he is currently looking at the issue of how the government is organised.

There is a widespread belief that a new economic department will be created, tasked with job creation,

There’s also speculation over possible changes to Tánaiste Mary Coughlan’s department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Minister Coughlan yesterday refused to be drawn on a possible Cabinet revamp, stating in the Dáil that it was a “matter for Mr Cowen”.

The Minister is also back in the headlines this morning after she accused a Fine Gael TD of “sexism” when he suggested she wasn’t up to the job.

Donegal North East Fianna Fáil TD, Jim McDaid has been defending the Tánaiste’s performance.

He says Mary Coughlan has been doing her best with a difficult portfolio and has been treated unfairly by the hands of the media.