CONTENDERS FOR TOP job

ATTENTION is already turning to who will replace the Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central at the top table.

The promotion of Simon Harris following Leo Varadkar’s decision to step down will create one vacancy at Cabinet when he becomes Taoiseach on April 9. Mr Coveney’s decision to step down creates a second vacancy.

If two junior ministers are promoted, that creates three vacancies following Josepha Madigan’s decision to resign last month.

But who are the runners and riders for the big jobs?

PETER BURKE

Junior Minister for European Affairs and a Fine Gael TD for Longford-westmeath, Burke is widely expected to be promoted to Cabinet.

The 41-year-old Mullingar man, often seen as a close Varadkar ally, has impressed members of his party during his seven-year Dail career.

Often wheeled out to go head-to-head with Sinn Fein TDS, he is known as a boisterous and confident media performer.

JENNIFER CARROLL MACNEILL

Elected in 2020, Ms Macneill has quickly risen through the ranks of Fine Gael and is now Minister of State in the Department of Finance.

The Dun Laoghaire TD is understood to have given serious consideration to contesting the Fine Gael leadership competition. Many of her Fine Gael colleagues said had she had Cabinet experience under her belt, she may have been in with a shot.

HILDEGARDE NAUGHTON

She is one of three Ministers of State who sit at Cabinet and serves as the Government Chief Whip.

She was first elected to the Dail in 2016 to represent Galway West but served as a Senator for three years before this.

Geography could be on her side if Mr Harris plans to focus on rural affairs and expand his Cabinet beyond the Dublin commuter belt.

NEALE RICHMOND

Another strong media performer, Neale Richmond made his name when he was a Senator speaking about Brexit.

He was elected in Dublin Rathdown as a TD in 2020 and was promoted to Junior Minister at the Department of Enterprise in 2022.

Like Ms Carroll Macneill, could geography go against him on this occasion?

PATRICK O’DONOVAN

While Limerick TD Mr O’donovan was one of the TDS less touted for promotion, the exit of Simon Coveney creates a Munster vacancy for Fine Gael.

The 47-year-old has been a Minister of State for six years and is currently Minister for the OPW.

Could Simon Coveney’s exit mean that Simon Harris has to promote someone in Munster?

BRENDAN GRIFFIN

Although Fine Gael’s Kerry TD has said he will not contest the next general election, several of his party colleagues have suggested to the Irish Mirror that he could be swayed if he was offered a Cabinet position.

However, they stressed if he was to be given the Chief Whip position, he would have to commit to running again.

Several people suggested that Griffin could be moved to Chief Whip and Ms Naughton could move to the Minister for Higher Education role.

AND THE JUNIORS...

Of Fine Gael’s 33 TDS, six are ministers, eight are junior ministers and 11 are not contesting the next election. Several others have already held office.

Those who could be in contention for a junior ministry include Emer Higgins, Colm Burke, Alan Dillon and Alan Farrell.