Labour Party likely to prioritise jobs portfolio

The position of European commissioner is likely to be used as a bargaining chip by Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton in her efforts to secure an important economic ministerial post for Labour in negotiations with Taoiseach Enda Kenny on the Cabinet reshuffle.

Ms Burton is expected to become the leader of the Labour Party later today when votes are counted to conclude her five-week contest with Alex White. A result is expected at about 3.30pm, with the outcome of the deputy leader contest declared two hours later.

The focus will then switch to the formation of the new Cabinet, as well as a restatement of the Government’s aims.

While Labour has made a strong push for Eamon Gilmore to be Ireland's next EU commissioner, Fine Gael expects the job to go to Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan. The junior Coalition partner wants the Fine Gael-controlled Department of Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and senior Labour sources last night indicated it could exchange its claim on the commissionership for this.

“In the discussions, everything will be on the table, including the commissionership,” a source said. “In that context, an economic portfolio would be on the table too.”

Many in Labour feel the commissionership should be theirs because the party has never held it and other European jobs have gone to Fine Gael.

Department of Jobs

While some in Labour suggested they might push for an additional place at the Cabinet table in exchange for the commissionership, others indicated the focus will be on taking control of the Department. However, seeking an additional Cabinet place from Fine Gael to bring Labour’s senior Ministers to six was not ruled out by sources, with the suggestion it would be a clear “win” for Ms Burton. However, widespread changes to departmental responsibilities are not seen as likely by those in Labour.

Meanwhile, senior civil servants have started to prepare for Ms Burton’s election. A transition meeting took place earlier this week between Martin Fraser and Geraldine Byrne Nason, the two most senior officials in the Department of the Taoiseach, and Niamh O’Donoghue, the secretary general in Ms Burton’s department.

Asked in Berlin yesterday whether he would meet the criteria for the presidency of the European Council, the Taoiseach said: “I also tick the box that I have to engage with a new leader of the Labour Party this weekend and work out the agenda for a strategy to employ now to continue to grow our economy.”