Politics

Backbenchers push for substantial cabinet reshuffle

Five Fine Gael cabinet members likely to remain, but Fianna Fáil line-up looks less certain

Michael Ring, the Fine Gael Mayo TD and former minister, said that Leo Varadkar will need to deliver a real reshuffle when he is appointed Taoiseach next week

Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar are coming under pressure from backbenchers to have a meaningful cabinet reshuffle rather than keeping existing ministers in place.

Varadkar is expected to keep his existing five cabinet ministers – Paschal Donohoe, Simon Coveney, Simon Harris, Heather Humphreys and Helen McEntee – but to make changes among Fine Gael’s group of eight ministers of state.

There is less certainty about the Fianna Fáil cabinet line-up remaining unchanged, but Stephen Donnelly’s ...