Brennan denies threatening to quit over Cabinet move

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mr Brennan, has admitted he was disappointed to have the Transport portfolio taken…

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mr Brennan, has admitted he was disappointed to have the Transport portfolio taken from him in the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

However, Mr Brennan denied that he threatened to quit his Dáil seat if the Taoiseach removed him from the Cabinet altogether.

Speaking on his way to a pre-Budget forum in Dublin, Mr Brennan said: "I'm a member of the Cabinet and the Taoiseach has my full support of course.

"I think it is an open secret I was disappointed to be appointed to a new ministry," Mr Brennan added. But he said he was now feeling a "sense of excitement" about his new job.

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Mr Brennan has invited more than 30 organisations and campaign groups to meet with him in the months before the December Budget. He said resources would be targeted toward helping older people, thousands of carers, widows and widowers, and those with disabilities.

"I have invited each of the organisations to individually come and meet with me because these are the people on the ground who care for and represent those who most need our help and genuine support," Mr Brennan said.

"I want to listen directly to what really concerns these organisations and to see what can be done to address those concerns.

"As Minister for Social Affairs I am in the business of finding solutions by making sensible decisions that have at their core increased support for those who feel most vulnerable, neglected or apprehensive in our society.

"While I cannot promise to implement everything you may propose, I can assure you that I will give all of them all very serious consideration," the Minister said.

Patrick  Logue

Patrick Logue

Patrick Logue is Digital Editor of The Irish Times