Cabinet reshuffle now expected tomorrow but 'no row'

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he expects the long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle will not now take place until tomorrow at the earliest.

Speaking in the Dáil he told Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin there would be no change to today’s Order of Business.

“I can advise you there won’t be any change to the schedule of Dáil business today and if it is to be tomorrow people will be notified well in advance.”

Mr Martin had asked about notification of the reshuffle and if people would be given warnings to allow for debate on the Ministerial changes.

It had been expected that Cabinet changes and possible reshuffling of the Ministers of State would be announced this afternoon.

Earlier, sources close to the talks between Tánaiste and new Labour leader Joan Burton and Mr Kenny, insisted there is no problem between the pair but said more time is needed to get through every item on the talks agenda.

The Fine Gael and Labour Party leaders are understood to have brought a policy document away from their meeting last night at which they agreed on the broad policy objectives of the Fine Gael-Labour Coalition.

The document is being reviewed by the leaders’ advisory teams. The pair is expected to meet again this afternoon after completing parliamentary duties.

They will discuss the policy document again and attempt to finalise the shape of the new Cabinet.

Sources say there is further work to finish and parliamentary commitments yesterday meant the pair did not have as much time as they needed to discuss outstanding issues.

Ms Burton was in the Seanad from 11.45 this morning until 1.30pm for discussions on the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2014.

Mr Kenny fielded Leader’s Questions in the Dáil from 12 noon. Both Coalition parties had parliamentary party meetings scheduled for this evening. However, Labour’s has been cancelled while Fine Gael’s is due to go ahead at 5pm.