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12 Dec 2025
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12 Dec 2025
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Leinster House
Speculation is mounting that Kildare is to get a senior minister today - for the first time since former Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy in 2004.
Fine Gael TD for Kildare South Martin Heydon could be promoted to the Cabinet but Fianna Fáil's James Lawless will also be hoping to improve his prospects after topping the poll in Kildare North and bringing in a running mate.
Sallins-born Mr McCreevy was Minister for Finance from 1997 until 2004 when he was appointed European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services.
READ ALSO: GALLERY: Fantastic awards night for Naas GAA Club in Kildare
Mr Heydon served as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine since July 2020 and has been a TD for Kildare South since 2011.
He also previously served as the Chair of the Fine Gael parliamentary party.
He told the Leader: "While it is flattering to be tipped for promotion, final decisions on Cabinet positions won’t be made until Wednesday. It would be an incredible honour to be asked and trusted to serve at Cabinet, particularly considering it is 21 years since a Kildare representative last held such a position."
He added: "However, I have seen on previous occasions Government formation ended up being different from what was predicted so I await the decision of the Taoiseach and I stand ready to serve the country in whatever role I’m asked to while continuing the important work of representing Kildare South in this Dáil term."
When Mr Lawless topped the poll in Kildare North in the general election he immediately said he would be hoping for a senior role in the next government after his high vote and securing two Fianna Fail seats in his constituency.
Mr Lawless, who finished up with 10,007 votes, has had a high profile since he was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Transport in June 2004.
He told the Leader: "I have enjoyed greatly my time in the Department of Transport and feel it has been impactful. It would be an honour to continue to serve in the Department, or in any other role where I can best serve my constituency and country. But, such decisions are solely at the discretion of the new Taoiseach, Micheál Martin."
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