THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW LEAS CEANN COMHAIRLE CAUSED RUCTIONS WITHIN FIANNA YESTERDAY,  WITH TDS ACCUSING TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY OF SNUBBING THE MAN FAVOURED BY MICHEAL MARTIN FOR THE POST.

IT IS UP TO THE TAOISEACH TO SELECT A DEPUTY TO CEANN COMHAIRLE SEAN BARRETT, BUT TRADITIONALLY THE POST GOES TO THE OPPOSITION.

WEXFORD TD JOHN BROWNE HAD BEEN UNANIMOUSLY NOMINATED BY THE FIANNA FAIL PARLIAMENTARY PARTY BUT MR KENNY OPTED TO APPOINT GALWAY EAST FF TD MICHAEL KITT INSTEAD.

HOWEVER, FORMER TAOISEACH BERTIE AHERN ANNOYED FINE GAEL BACK IN 2007 AND 2002 BY SNUBBING FINE GAEL AND GIVING THE POST TO LABOUR. SOME FF TDS CLAIMED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR KITT WAS AN ACT OF REVENGE.

THEY CLAIMED MR KITT LOBBIED MR KENNY, A FRIEND OF HIS SINCE COLLEGE, AND TANAISTE, EAMON GILMORE,  WHO COMES FROM EAST GALWAY LIKE MR KITT.

MR KITT WILL BE ON THE PAY SCALE OF A JUNIOR MINISTER, WHICH IS €41,154 PLUS HIS TD'S WAGE OF €92,672. THAT’S A TOTAL OF €133,826. HE WILL ALSO HAVE A DRIVER.