The Taoiseach has downplayed the possibility of Paschal Donohoe leaving government to head the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Leo Varadkar said he anticipated that current IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva would seek another term, so the issue of the public expenditure minister replacing her may not arise. Mr Donohoe is president of the Eurogroup of finance ministers and recent speculation has linked him with the IMF role, as Ms Georgieva’s first term draws to an end next year. At his end-of-2023 media briefing, Mr Varadkar was asked what Mr Donohoe moving to the IMF would mean for his cabinet, and Fine Gael in the minister’s Dublin Central constituency. “But my anticipation is that Kristalina Georgieva will seek a second term, in which case that issue will not arise.”Mr Donohoe has been guarded when questioned about it in recent weeks.

Source: Irish Examiner January 01, 2024 01:36 UTC