A second day of talks on an extensive cabinet reshuffle has begun at Government Buildings.
Enda Kenny and Joan Burton have resumed their talks after six hours of discussion yesterday on an extensive swap of cabinet positions.
It's now emerged that a larger cabinet restructuring is being considered - with rumours that some departments could be merged, while others might be split.
Control of the Department of Jobs has emerged as something of a tug-of-war: both parties not only see the department as an important one, but one which is also likely to bring 'more good news than bad' in the forthcoming 18 months.
Disputes about Department aside, both parties must also decide who will be part of their cabinet teams.
Enda Kenny commented late last year that he would like to give younger talented TDs the chance to serve in cabinet - and this could see older faces like Jimmy Deenihan make way, with younger deputies like Mary Mitchell O'Connor, Simon Harris and Regina Doherty being given junior ministries.
Joan Burton in particular must make sure that Labour's cabinet representatives strike an urban-rural balance, while also ensuring that women have fair representation.
Assuming that Eamon Gilmore and Ruairi Quinn are both ousted, the shortage of Dubliners could see Pat Rabbitte retained in cabinet - while Alex White would be left as a junior health minister, but given a cabinet seat as a 'super-junior'.
Along with Joan Burton herself, it would appear Brendan Howlin is the only minister assured of staying put - though he was circumspect about that prospect this morning:
Suggestions have now also turned to the prospect of some Government departments facing overhauls.
At present the government has the difficult situation of having 15 ministers - a cap enforced by the constitution - while also having 16 Government Departments (after splitting the Department of Finance three years ago).
This issue - which was exacerbated by the resignation of Alan Shatter from both the justice and defence briefs - could see the Defence and Arts/Heritage jobs tied up to form a bespoke ministry which would concentrate on the forthcoming commemorations for the 1916 Rising.
This would also raise the prospect of the Heritage brief being returned to the Department of the Environment, and Arts being recombined with Transport, Tourism and Sport.
It is also possible, however, that the current situation may be maintained - with the Taoiseach retaining nominal responsibility as Minister for Defence, while the junior minister (who is also the Government Chief Whip) would be given the responsibility for day-to-day running of the Department.
Another possibility being mooted around Leinster House is that the functions of the Department of Education and Department of Children be slightly merged, given the close relationship between those briefs, and that this could solve the difficulties surrounding the oversupply of ministers.
However, this would be scuppered by the ongoing dispute between FG and Labour over which party should control Education - with Labour reluctant to hand it over, and Fine Gael reportedly keen to take it.
