FORMER FINE Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton is expected to return to the party front bench when Enda Kenny unveils his team later in the week.
Mr Kenny has delayed announcing his front bench in the hope that the man he sacked during the attempted heave two weeks ago would agree to come back.
While Mr Bruton was making no comment this weekend, there was growing confidence in the party that he would agree to return, possibly as spokesman on enterprise and employment.
Former leader Michael Noonan has said he is willing to serve on the front bench and he is expected to be appointed to the finance portfolio.
Dublin West TD Leo Varadkar confirmed yesterday that he is willing to serve and he is also expected to figure in Mr Kenny’s new team.
Kerry TD Jimmy Deenihan is being tipped for promotion from defence to agriculture while Clare TD, Joe Carey and Cork East TD, David Stanton, are expected to step up to the front bench.
Long-serving Dublin TD Alan Shatter is strong favourite for promotion to the justice portfolio, while Dr James Reilly is expected to remain in health.
There has been speculation that one of them may be offered the deputy leadership but a strong contender for the post is Carlow-Kilkenny TD Phil Hogan, who was a pivotal figure in seeing off the heave against Mr Kenny.
Commenting on the results of the latest Red C poll in yesterday's Sunday Business Post, which showed a 3 per cent rise in support for Fine Gael, Mr Hogan said it reflected the way people had responded to Mr Kenny's handling of the challenge to his leadership.
The results of the poll compared to the last Red C poll a month ago were: Fine Gael 33 per cent (up 3 points); Labour 27 per cent (up 5 points); Fianna Fáil 24 per cent (no change); Sinn Féin 8 per cent (down 2 points); Green Party 2 per cent (down 3 points) and Independents 6 per cent (down 3 points).
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's This Weekshow, Mr Hogan said many people had underestimated Mr Kenny's capacity to lead the country. "He demonstrated that in a crisis he has courage, calmness, resilience and a sure touch."
Commenting on the continued rise in support for the Labour Party, he said: “Good luck to them. They have been working on soundbites while Fine Gael has been working on policies.”