The Limerick TD said he had instead expected to see the former RTE economics editor elevated to the front bench following the next reshuffle of the FG leader Enda Kenny.

"It was very disappointing to hear the announcement. I actually put in a fair amount of time into his campaign last year," said Deputy Noonan, who took a team from Limerick to canvass 2,000 voters in the Rathfarnham area during Mr Lee's by-election campaign.

"One of his first functions was to come down to Limerick for a party fundraiser in the Clarion. I knew him and I liked him. I know his cousins in Limerick as well so I am very disappointed. I actually thought he would be a Minister after the next general election," Deputy Noonan said.

Asked about Mr Lee's complaint that he had no input into formulating Fine Gael's economic policy and the implication his talents were under-appreciated, Deputy Noonan said: "I don't know about that as I'm no longer on the front bench myself. But there certainly was an expectation of a reshuffle and that George would be on the front bench after that. As for this notion of his talents not being recognised, I have no insight into that no longer being on the front bench."