Politics

Martin to avoid ruffling any feathers in cabinet reshuffle

Sources say Taoiseach will play it safe and maintain status quo, while Donohoe and McGrath are likely to swap portfolios

Micheál Martin: the Taoiseach is due to swap roles with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar in mid-December. Picture: PA

Fianna Fáil backbenchers now believe it is more likely than not that Stephen Donnelly will remain as health minister in any cabinet reshuffle later this month. It represents a turnaround in the party mood, given that many were predicting his political demise a month ago.

One Fianna Fáil TD said that if Taoiseach Micheál Martin promoted someone to cabinet, it risked a backlash from other TDs who had missed out. “Micheál is usually very cautious, ...