Frances Fitzgerald mentioned as possible presidential candidate

Former tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald is highly unlikely to return to ministerial office despite Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's statement that he wants her involved in frontline politics, Government sources have said.

On a number of occasions this week following Ms Fitzgerald’s resignation, Mr Varadkar expressed a wish to see her return to a senior political level.

Government sources, however, said this did not mean a ministerial post but could include Ms Fitzgerald playing a prominent role in future referendum campaigns.

She has also been mentioned as a possible Fine Gael candidate for the presidency, although sources close to her said it was far too early to even consider such a prospect.

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The Dublin Mid West TD stood down amid controversy over her knowledge of a legal strategy pursued by former Garda commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan against whistleblower Maurice McCabe at the O’Higgins Commission of Investigation, which was examining allegations of malpractice in the force.

Announcing Ms Fitzgerald’s resignation in the Dáil on Tuesday, Mr Varadkar said she will be vindicated at the disclosures tribunal, which is investigating allegations of a smear campaign against Sgt McCabe.

“She will have her good name vindicated,” the Taoiseach said. “I expect her to continue to play a full role in political and public life including at the highest level.”

Frontline politics

He also made a similar point at a meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party, when he told TDs and Senators he wanted Ms Fitzgerald to return to frontline politics. Ms Fitzgerald also spoke at the meeting and said the politics being pursued by Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin would deter young women and men from entering public life.

While Mr Varadkar was not specific about what post Ms Fitzgerald could return to at the parliamentary party meeting, one source present took the “gist” of what he said to be a return to Cabinet.

Well-placed sources, however, said it was unlikely Ms Fitzgerald would return to the Cabinet during the lifetime of this Government or that of another Fine Gael-led administration.

Rather, it was suggested she could play a prominent role in future referendums or other party initiatives.

“It would probably be more like taking a significant role in things like referendum campaigns,” said a source.

Ms Fitzgerald comes from the liberal wing of Fine Gael and was the minister for justice responsible for introducing the legislation giving effect to the results of the same-sex marriage referendum. She also played a leading role in that referendum campaign.