TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has refused to be drawn on when he intends to carry out his Cabinet reshuffle, telling the Dáil yesterday that he could not add to speculation on the date.
Commenting on the decision of Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism Martin Cullen to resign from public life, the Taoiseach said the Waterford TD had decided to resign because of a serious back condition.
“It is my intention to advise the President to accept his resignation on a date on which other matters relating to the Government, and which I am currently considering, will also be the subject of decision. That was outlined in the statement I issued yesterday. I cannot add to the speculation on the date,” he said.
Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews insisted the Coalition would last its full term until 2012, despite Mr Cullen’s resignation, which has further reduced the Coalition’s Dáil majority.
The Government now has the support of 84 TDs, made of up Fianna Fáil’s 74, the Green Party’s 6, the two former Progressive Democrat TDs and two Independents, Michael Lowry and Jackie Healy Rae.
The combined Opposition has a maximum support level of 78 TDs in the Dáil, which will have three vacant seats with the departure of Mr Cullen.
The fact that the future of the Government is now completely dependant on the continued support of the Green Party TDs will give the party added leverage in the continuing talks between the Taoiseach and Green Party leader John Gormley on the reshuffle.
Meanwhile, the campaign of industrial action by public servants was discussed at last night’s meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, with some deputies expressing “frustration” at the difficulties which might be created for elected politicians in their day-to-day work.
The meeting also discussed what deputies said were the continuing difficulties of the business community in obtaining credit from financial institutions. The meeting was shorter than usual due to the calling of a Dáil vote.