Posted online: Jun 23rd, 2010

By Daniel Browne

Deputy Dinny McGinley is unlikely to be elevated to the front bench as part of Enda Kenny’s post split reshuffle.
The loyal Deputy who has a long standing record of supporting Kenny’s leadership said he would serve if asked but acknowledged that the leader would need the front bench places, “ to offer an olive branch” to those who had lost confidence in him.
“There is also a lot of young talent n the party that will need to be considered”, he said.
Deputy McGinley is one of the most experienced on the party having already served front bench terms from 1989 to 1997 and 2004 to 2007.
“I am always willing to serve but my first priority is to look after the constituency,” he said, noting that Fine Gael had just this week opened a new youth branch in the Finn Valley.
The veteran politician, who has a special relationship with the Fine Gael leader predicted that the polls in next Sunday’s papers would show renewed support for Kenny’s leadership.
“He put up a good fight, it was skilfully done and people in the wider community as well as in the party seem to recognise that he has moved decisively and shown great leadership skills,” he said.
Commenting on the imminent by election for Donegal South West, the Deputy predicted the government could not hold out past the autumn without having the election.
“We have our candidate selected (Cllr Barry O’Neill) and we are working hard to maximise our potential on the back of the failed economic policies of Fianna Fáil,” he said.