W2C-015 Kilkenny People-0.txt
HOGAN IS HOPEFUL
by Sean Keane
KILKENNY will not lose out in a new coalition. The 'People has learnt that Deputy Phil Hogan of Fine Gael will be among the Ministers of State to be appointed in a new administration.

There is no question of a derailment of the new three party coalition between Fine Gael, Labour and Democratic Left (D.L.) and a special D.L. delegate conference will go ahead this evening (Wednesday).

Loss

Deputy Hogan's appointment will temper the loss to the county of the Minister of State portfolio held by Fianna F&/ail's Liam Aylward T.D. for almost three years.

Deputy Hogan will not be a member of the cabinet to be named by new Taoiseach, John Bruton. However, the 34 year old will be appointed to one of the key junior positions possibly in the economic sphere.

This will reflect his recent high public profile as Fine Gael spokesman on Transport, Energy and Communication.

He raised the deletion of key parts from a consultant's report on the proposed mine in Galmoy in what became known as the Cowengate affair.

There will be no such job for Carlow's Fine Gael Deputy, John Browne or for Deputy Seamus Pattison of Labour who looks unlikely to be brought into Government.

Despite suggestions to the contrary, Fine Gael are committed to entering Government and will have eight members in the new cabinet.

Agriculture

It is almost certain that Wexford T.D. Mr Ivan Yates will be the new Minister for Agriculture while Deputy Michael Lowry from Thurles, currently Fine Gael Chief whip will also receive a senior ministry possibly Tourism and Trade.

The Minister for Justice will be a Fine Gael appointee while the key Environment portfolio will go to Labour. There will be one or two members of Democratic Left, leader Proinsias de Rossa T.D. and probably Pat Rabbitte.

A key figure in the local Labour organisation feels there will be little change in the Labour appointees from the last cabinet but that there could be changes in their portfolios.

Michael D.

Michael D Higgins is the bookie's warm favourite to be re-appointed as Minister for the Arts, Culture and Gaeltacht.

There is considerable speculation that senior counsel, Mr Dermot Gleeson will be offered the position of Attorney General.

A close confidant of Mr Bruton, it was at Mr Gleeson's private residence that Mr Bruton first met with Labour leader, Mr Dick Spring for talks on a new government following the collapse of the Fianna F&/ail-Labour administration.

However outgoing Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Mr Mervyn Taylor T.D. is also being mentioned for the position of Attorney General. He would be the first solicitor to hold the position.

Already Fine Gael activists in Kilkenny are looking forward to Deputy Hogan's promotion.

He was elected to the Senate in 1987 having unsuccessfully contested the general election. He was elected to the D&/ail in 1989 and re-elected in 1992.

He was co-opted on to Kilkenny Co Council in 1982 following the death of his father Tom. In 1985 he was elected Chairman of Kilkenny Co Council.

He holds a B.A. H Dip from University College Cork. He received his secondary education at St Joseph's Freshford and at St Kieran's College, Kilkenny.

On appointment, he will have to resign as a member of Kilkenny County Council and will also have to step down as a member of the South Eastern Health Board.

It is expected that these vacancies will not be filled until February and already there are strong indications that "new blood" will be brought in to strengthen the party at local level.
