Is the minister going to stay put?

TEACHER'S PET:AFTER ALMOST four years in Marlborough Street, Mary Hanafin would probably like to leave the Department of Education in next week's Cabinet reshuffle.

But the path to her two favoured landing spots - Enterprise and Employment or Foreign Affairs - is proving troublesome. Several ministers have edged ahead of her in the pecking order as they are closer to the Taoiseach-designate.

These include the group known as "Friends of Brian", Cowenites such as Mary Coughlan, Noel Dempsey and Brian Lenihan. And then there are senior figures like Dermot Ahern and Michael Martin who must be looked after.

Hanafin is a polished and authoritative performer around the Cabinet table and in the media, but she has never been part of Cowen's kitchen cabinet.

Hanafin would probably have little interest in a post such as Defence or Arts, which would be perceived as a sideways move. And she would be uncomfortable, she has said, in the Health portfolio. Transport or Justice would be fine, but this depends on what's left after more senior positions are handed out.

All things considered, Hanafin may opt to remain in Education - if she gets the choice. Brian Cowen may take the view that her natural empathy with the sector - and her undoubted talent - might be an advantage as we face into troubled times.

THE LABOUR leader, Eamonn Gilmore made some challenging (and valid) points during an excellent, under-reported address last week.

In supporting Waterford's case for a university, he expressed his disappointment at the level of critique that is emerging from the modern Irish academy.

"There are many aspects of the Irish experience over the past decade which would have merited far greater comment and protest from academics . . . Where we might expect dissent, we have found a culture of contentment, and an unwillingness to rock the boat." Ouch!

WHO SAYS OUR universities are sniffy and out of touch with popular culture? Last week, UL hosted a seminar entitled The Songs that Saved Your Life, on Morrissey and The Smiths.

Speakers included Eoin Devereux of UL's Sociology Department and Dr Nabeel Zuberi from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Meanwhile, Evan Goldberg writer of the hit gross-out comedy Superbad and executive producer of Knocked Up is to teach at NUI Galway as part of the Huston School of Film & Digital Media Writers in Residence Programme.

Other universities please copy!