Major changes to the line-up of Ministers of State ordered by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, have failed to satisfy the appetite for change within the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, even though he sacked five of his outgoing team, writes Mark Hennessy, Political Reporter
Meath TD Ms Mary Wallace, Tipperary South's Mr Noel Davern, Wicklow's Mr Joe Jacob, Cork North Central's Mr Dan Wallace and Dublin South East TD Mr Eoin Ryan were all ousted.
Mr Ahern caused sharp disappointment among party TDs when, as expected, he appointed as junior ministers a number of ministers sacked last week from his Cabinet - Ms Síle de Valera, Dr Jim McDaid, Mr Frank Fahey.
There was some surprise about a number of other appointments, including Carlow-Kilkenny's Mr Liam Alyward and Cork East's Mr Michael Ahern, who both last saw ministerial office during Mr Albert Reynolds's time as Taoiseach.
"He was the one who talked about creating a fresh team, with a new mandate. He was the one who raised expectations, not us. There is no way that this can be called a fresh team. It is back to the future stuff," said one furious TD last night.
His decision to appoint Connacht-Ulster MEP and Donegal South-West TD Mr Pat "The Cope" Gallagher as Minister of State for Environment and Local Government creates a vacancy in the European Parliament.
However, outgoing Minister of State, Galway East TD Mr Noel Treacy, who is Fianna Fáil's first substitute to fill Mr Gallagher's MEP job, upset the Taoiseach's plans when he turned down the opportunity to quit Irish politics.
Now, the much-sought after MEP place will fall to a member of Galway County Council, Mr Seán Ó Neachtain - a point which irked some members of the parliamentary party: "That is some plum to be giving to a councillor," complained one last night.
The decision to promote Mr Gallagher means one Cabinet minister and two juniors now represent the two Donegal constituencies - even though the party holds only four seats there. On the other hand, the Cork constituencies, which produced a windfall of 11 seats out of 20 in the election, are represented by two seniors and one junior, despite expectations that Cork city would have another junior minister.
Long tipped for promotion, Dublin West TD Mr Brian Lenihan will become Minister of State for Children, the job recently vacated by the new Government Chief Whip, Ms Mary Hanafin.
Despite complaining loudly after he was left out of Mr Ahern's Cabinet, Limerick East TD Mr Willie O'Dea becomes the Minister of State for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, alongside the Progressive Democrat Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell.
His first task will be to end the row over the Disability Bill, which seriously damaged the reputation of his predecessor, Ms Wallace, and probably ended her ministerial chances.
The Taoiseach's brother, Mr Noel Ahern, becomes the Minister for State for Environment and Local Government, and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
The decision to fire the popular Mr Ryan as Minister of State for Tourism, Sport and Recreation has caused resentment, particularly since he is believed to have performed well when leading the Government's anti-drugs strategy.
The appointments free five Dáil committee chairmanships which will offer Mr Ahern the opportunity to take the sting out of those most disappointed yesterday.
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