Who’s in and who’s out in coming cabinet reshuffle?

WHEN Leo Varadkar announces his new cabinet in around two weeks time, there is likely to be few big shocks.

It is widely expected that he will promote his campaign director Eoghan Murphy to a cabinet position, possibly as Jobs and Enterprise Minister.

Paschal Donohoe is likely to get the top job in Finance, with the Education Minister Richard Bruton possibly given responsibility for Public Expenditure and Reform. Given that Eoghan Murphy may take Enterprise, this would leave the current minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor without a portfolio.

She may be demoted, but it seems more likely at this stage that she may be moved to Education.

One of the biggest questions has been what role Simon Coveney will play, and who will be Mr Varadkar’s Tánaiste.

Mr Coveney is the only person who Mr Varadkar has publicly committed to including in his Cabinet, and it is likely that he may secure the role of Tánaiste as well as his current ministry of Housing.

There is some speculation that chief whip Regina Doherty will be given a promotion to the Department of Social Protection, a role vacated by Mr Varadkar as he seems certain to win the leadershipo contest. One of the biggest names whose support he managed to secure was that of the current Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, who is also the Justice Minister. She may have bought herself more time in her portfolio with her early show of loyalty.

The new chief whip could be John Paul Phelan, sources say. It is anticipated that the Independent ministers will remain in their positions.