Haughey to consider future after being overlooked

Fianna Fail TD Sean Haughey said this afternoon he is considering his position in politics after being overlooked for promotion in Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's latest reshuffle of junior ministers.

The Dublin North Central deputy had been widely tipped to be promoted from the backbenches to a junior ministry. His most likely destination was seen to be the position of Minister of State at the Department of Transport, which was left vacant by the resignation of Ivor Callely before Christmas.

However, Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher was given the job, with John Browne taking up his old post in the Department of the Marine. Mary Wallace, who was demoted in 2002, was reinstated in the junior cabinet, taking over Mr Browne's job.

Speaking this afternoon, Mr Haughey said there had been intense media speculation about the reshuffle over the past month.

He said he had sought a meeting with Mr Ahern shortly after Mr Callely's resignation. Although this meeting never materialised, he told RTÉ Radio had been lead to believe by people close to the Taoiseach that he would be promoted.

Mr Haughey, the son of former taoiseach Charles Haughey, said he found out he was being passed over yesterday morning when he got telephone call from the Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt.

"He told me the news was not good but I could be in the running for promotion at future date," Mr Haughey said.

He said he would like an explanation from Mr Ahern. "I would like to talk to the Taoiseach to find out why he passed me over," he said.

Mr Haughey said he believed he was "the best person" for the job and was "baffled" at his party leader's snub.

Despite his evident disappointment, Mr Haughey insisted he respected the Taoiseach's wishes and was not challenging his right to choose his own ministers. He accepted there were a number of factors influencing the decision, including electoral considerations.

"Politics is a cruel game," he added.

But he said he was now planning to take some time off to reflect on the situation.

He said he was considering his future in public life after 19 years as a TD. "If I'm likely to be in line for promotion in future I'll stay, if I'm not I won't," he said.

Mr Haughey denied he was laying down an ultimatum to the Taoiseach and said he would make his decision public "some time after Easter."