FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny is to complete his frontbench reshuffle in the “latter part” of next week, he said at Stormont where he met Northern Secretary Owen Paterson and the leaders of the North’s main political parties.
Mr Kenny yesterday said he had not yet spoken to his former deputy leader Richard Bruton since Thursday’s contest.
“I intend to make appointments next week . . . I have not spoken to Richard. When issues like this happen people need time and space to consider the implications, and I intend to give that to people. I will speak to him.”
Mr Bruton has not commented publicly since Thursday when the challenge to Mr Kenny’s leadership was rejected by a majority of the 70-member parliamentary party.
Wicklow TD Billy Timmins said he did not wish to be considered for the new Fine Gael front bench.
Mr Timmins is the first of the 10 frontbench members who expressed no-confidence in Mr Kenny to state publicly that he does not wish to be considered for reappointment. He said he informed Mr Kenny of his intentions on Tuesday last week after a meeting of the front bench was shut down by the party leader.
“I told Enda Kenny that if he was successful in the vote I did not wish to be considered for the new front bench,” said Mr Timmins.
Among those who joined Mr Kenny at Parliament Buildings in Stormont were two of the front-bench spokesmen who sought to oust him – Dublin TD Brian Hayes and Louth TD Fergus O’Dowd. Mr Kenny travelled separately to Belfast from Mayo in the morning.
Education spokesman Mr Hayes, who last week indicated he would not serve on a front bench led by Mr Kenny, and transport spokesman Mr O’Dowd said they would be happy to stay on the Fine Gael front bench if requested to do so by the leader.
Mr Hayes, when asked would he be willing to serve on a reconstituted front bench, replied: “That is a matter for the leader. It’s quite clear it is his prerogative. I will serve the party from the back benches, the middle benches and the front benches; whatever the wish of my party leader.
“I am conscious what my colleagues in the parliamentary party said, that we should all make ourselves available . . . Those on both sides of the debate held that view, and I respect that view.”
Asked had he, therefore, changed his mind from last week, Mr Hayes said: “We have changed the context of where we are . . . and I have a responsibility for that; if that means changing my mind, so be it.”
When asked had he apologised to Mr Kenny, the Fine Gael leader interjected to say “last week’s business is over and done with, we are now focusing on the future”.
Mr O’Dowd said were he asked to remain on the front bench he would be happy to do so.
“Absolutely,” he said.
Separately, Simon Coveney has said he has no regrets over his decision to back Mr Bruton in the leadership heave. However he admitted that he doesn’t expect to be included in Mr Kenny’s new front bench when it is announced.
“I don’t . As long as I make decisions on the basis of what’s right for the people who elect me then I’m comfortable with that, but I also respect the fact that I don’t have any monopoly on wisdom or integrity here,” said Mr Coveney to 96FM in Cork.
“I don’t expect to be in favour this week when he is putting his front bench together.
“But I am certainly not going to betray the party by actually refusing to work with a leader that has now had his leadership reaffirmed.”