New Justice Minister To Be Appointed Today

New justice minister to be appointed today

A new Minister for Justice will be named this morning after the shock resignation of Alan Shatter yesterday. The Taoiseach will announce the appointment in the Dáil at a quarter to eleven. A number of current Ministers are favourites for the position. With both coalition parties keen not to spark now a wide reshuffle of the Government planned for later in the year, this appointment will be from within the Fine Gael ranks. One of the favourites for a change of job is Transport Minister Leo Varadkar, who has had plenty to say on justice issues in recent times. Another leading contender is the Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, seen by many as a safe and competent performer. Children's Minister Frances Fitzgerald has also been mentioned. The Taoiseach does have the option of not moving any Minister and bringing in someone like Charlie Flanagan who was a justice spokesman in opposition. If a current Minister is moved, a leading contender for promotion into Cabinet is European Affairs Minister Paschal Donohoe - he is due back from Government business abroad - one possibility why the announcement of a new minister was put back until this morning.