The constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny is bracing itself for the possibility that it just might be appointed a junior ministerial role in the form of Green Party deputy leader Mary White, in the wake of the resignation of Junior Minister Trevor Sargent this week.
Speaking to the Kilkenny Advertiser yesterday Deputy White said that although it would be a fantastic honour to be offered a junior ministry, she added that nobody had approached her about the issue at this point in time.
“I know this is being speculated about at the moment in Leinster House and in the media but that is all it is for now - speculation. I think we should allow Mr Sargent to depart with dignity before even considering his replacement,” she added.
Trevor Sargent stepped down from his position as junior minister with responsibility for food and horticulture following what he termed was an error of judgement in contacting Gardai about a case involving a constituent.
Since then, it has been rumoured that since Mr Cowen has not yet chosen a replacement for former Minister Willie O’ Dea or for Trevor Sargent that a complete cabinet re-shuffle is on the cards.
Deputy White is hopeful that she might be at the receiving end of Mr Cowen’s job allocations however, she is slow to speculate.
“Initially I was shocked to hear my name being mentioned in relation to the post. It would be great for Carlow-Kilkenny to have a junior minister once again. It would be history in the making, as to date there has never been a female minister in the constituency either junior or senior. I am already the first female TD. It would certainly be breaking the mould but I don’t want to pre-empt Mr Cowan’s decision.”
Of course the portfolio is one that is very close to Deputy White’s heart.
“We have been growing our own food at home for the past 25 years, “ she pointed out. “We are 90 per cent self-sufficient and we have poly-tunnels and a huge vegetable garden. I am extremely interested in food and horticulture and so this portfolio is very exciting for me. I have a massive interest in this area,” she said,
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