White House Denies Any Plan to Replace Heckler

The White House denied today that President Reagan has decided to replace Health and Human Services Secretary Margaret M. Heckler, despite hints that her days as a member of his Cabinet may be numbered.

“Incorrect,” White House spokesman Larry Speakes said of a report in the Washington Times that Reagan had made a final decision to send Heckler, nee O’Shaughnessy, off to Dublin as U.S. ambassador to Ireland.

“There have been no discussions at the top level of the White House, I can assure you--by the President or (chief of staff Donald) Regan-- with her about any change in her position,” Speakes told reporters.

At the same time, he added, “I don’t know whether somebody at some time may have indicated to her the possibility of being ambassador to Ireland, but there has been no decision to do that.”

But sources said talk of replacing Heckler as head of the largest department in the government has been circulating for some time in the corridors of the White House.

The ambassadorship to Ireland has been suggested on several occasions as a convenient alternative for Heckler, who is a divorcee. At the Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary Stephanie Lee-Miller remarked, “Is that Ireland story out again?”