Cabinet reshuffle to be discussed after elections

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has said he expects to discuss a Cabinet reshuffle with Taoiseach Enda Kenny after the local and European elections.

Canvassing in Dublin city centre this morning, Mr Gilmore declined to be specific about when the reshuffle might take place.

“The issue of a reshuffle of Government is something that the Taoiseach and I have to discuss. I think we will discuss it at some stage after the election. I don’t want to put a timetable on it because it’s obviously something that we have to give some discussion to,” he said.

Mr Kenny, speaking later, would not be drawn on the issue. “Speculation is a wonderful thing. I have to make the decisions,” Mr Kenny said.

Speculation is growing in political circles that an early reshuffle may be on the cards.

Meanwhile, Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton said Mr Kenny and Mr Gilmore had not shared information about a Cabinet reshuffle with her.

“I have absolutely no information about that. I’ve just been working flat out on the election campaign. There are only two people who know the dates of that - Eamon Gilmore and Enda Kenny - and they haven’t shared that with me, either of them,” Ms Burton said.