Fahey to benefit as Bertie bites the bullet

Date Published: 03-Apr-2008

THERE is intense speculation that Galway West TD Frank Fahey may return to the cabinet table in the aftermath of the announcement that Bertie Ahern is to retire as Taoiseach next month.

Deputy Fahey, who was demoted following the last General Election, looks certain to be elevated to a senior position if Brian Cowan emerges as the new leader of Fianna Fail.

However, the TD would not be drawn on the matter and said that it was up to the new leader to choose his own cabinet. Both Fahey and Cowan are very friendly and the Galway West Dail Deputy said, as expected, that he would be supporting the current Finance Minister in a leadership battle.

But it is unlikely that Galway West would have two senior ministries and it would take a brave decision on the part of the next Taoiseach to consider demoting Gaeltacht Minister Eamon O Cuiv.

The announcement yesterday of Bertie Ahern’s decision to step down prompted Deputy Fahey to cancel a planned trip to Paris. He told The Connacht Tribune that he was ……………..