This article is from page 12 of the 2006-01-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
CLARE junior Minister Síle de Valera has said she has no intention of resigning her ministerial post, despite political pressure to do so.
The long-serving TD, who announced that she would resign from politics at the next election, said she was encouraged by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to keep her ministerial portfolio until then.
However, just a fortnight ago, Mr Ahern was believed to be coming under pressure from TDs in marginal constituencies to banish the outgoing Clare politicians to the backbenches.
Elements within the party believe a junior minister’s post would benefit areas such as Mayo, Cork South-West and Limerick-West, because, they believe, Clare can return two seats.
A minor shuffle is expected within the junior ranks this week, with Junior Minster Pat “the Cope” Gallagher likely to take the post vacated by the controversial former junior minister, Ivor Callely.
Mr Gallagher’s replacement is expected to come from Dublin North, so side-stepping a need for a major reshuffle. Without a major reshuffle, junior Minister de Valera is likely to see out her political career in her education portfolio.
Meanwhile, a date for the Clare Fianna Fáil convention has yet to be decided.
The Constituency Committee, headed up by Finance Minister Brian Cowan is to begin considering a new date for the local convention in consultation with party officials in the county.