Kenny receives 37 applications for Minister of State positions

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has received 37 applications for Minister of State positions in the new Government and 70 from people seeking to be among his 11 nominees to the Seanad.

Mr Kenny told a meeting of 400 Fine Gael members of the huge interest in the positions, as it was confirmed by Fine Gael sources that Fianna Fáil’s Denis O’Donovan will be the Cathaoirleach of the new Seanad.

It is also expected that Fianna Fáil’s Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher from Donegal will be the new Leas Cheann Comhairle of the Dáil, as part of the deal between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. Mr Gallagher is serving his ninth term as a TD.

Mr Kenny was speaking at a National Consultative Council meeting of grassroots members, councillors, some TDs and most of the Fine Gael members of Cabinet at the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone.

The meeting aimed to deal with the programme for government, the future of the party and how a minority government would work.

Mr Kenny is expected to announce his Minister of State appointments this week and his 11 Taoiseach’s nominees for the Seanad shortly after.

Reports two weeks ago that Mr O’Donovan from West Cork, would be the new Cathaoirleach were dismissed by some in Fine Gael who said that in the world of “new politics” these kinds of deals could not take place.

However without the co-operation of Fianna Fáil in the Seanad, Fine Gael has 13 seats and a further 11 nominees, less than the 31 majority required for votes in the 60-member House.

The Upper House cannot bring a Government down as it has no powers over money Bills and can only delay legislation, but repeated defeats can put pressure on the Administration and impact its longevity.

Two weeks ago a meeting of Fianna Fáil Senators with party leader Micheál Martin voted for Mr O’Donovan as the party’s nominee for Cathaoirleach. He defeated long-term Senator Terry Leydon for the nomination although the count in the vote was not disclosed to party members.

Mr Martin told the 14 Fianna Fáil Senators that he had chosen the party’s newly elected Senator Catherine Ardagh as Fianna Fáil’s Seanad leader and Senator Diarmuid Wilson remains as party whip.

The Seanad deal had been made before the Fianna Fáil meeting but was not formally disclosed.