Ministers of State: Five new Ministers of State, including Cavan/Monaghan TD Mr Brendan Smith and Clare TD Mr Tony Killeen, were appointed last night following the decision of the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.
Dublin South TD Mr Tom Kitt, who will have a seat at the Cabinet table as the Chief Whip, will also be Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence.
Despite speculation, PD TD Mr Tom Parlon stays in the Office of Public Works, even though he will be junior to the Minister for Finance, Mr Cowen, who also represents Laois/Offaly.
Just one Minister of State, Donegal North East's Mr Jim McDaid, has been sacked. Clearly disappointed by his change of fortune yesterday, Mr McDaid had been in charge of road traffic and haulage issues at the Department of Transport.
Mr Frank Fahey, who represents Galway West, will move from Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Donegal South West TD Mr Pat "The Cope" Gallagher moves from Environment and Local Government to deal with fisheries in the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.
Wexford TD Mr John Browne was brought to Government Buildings yesterday to be told that he was being moved to the Department of Agriculture and Food to make way for Mr Gallagher.
Dublin North Central TD Mr Ivor Callely moves from the Department of Health and Children to be Minister of State at the Department of Transport.
Deputy Noel Treacy from Galway East will fill the place at the Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs vacated by Mr Dick Roche.
Mr Seán Power, from Kildare South, was appointed to be Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children.
Cork South Central TD Mr Batt O'Keeffe has been appointed to be Minister of State at the Department of the Environment in place of Mr Gallagher.
Clare TD Mr Tony Killeen becomes the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Cavan/Monaghan TD Mr Brendan Smith will become Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food.
Dublin South West TD Mr Conor Lenihan whose brother, Brian, failed to win a Cabinet place, has taken the high-profile Minister of State position at the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Ms Síle De Valera, Mr Michael Ahern, Mr Noel Ahern, Mr Brian Lenihan and Mr Tim O'Malley will continue in their existing portfolios.
Ministers of State: new appointments
NEW RESPONSIBILITIES
Tom Kitt Government Chief Whip, Taoiseach and Defence
Frank Fahey Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher Communications, Marine & Natural Resources
John Browne Agriculture and Food
Ivor Callelly Transport
Noel Treacy Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs
NEW APPOINTMENTS
Seán Power Health and Children
Batt O'Keeffe Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Tony Killeen Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Brendan Smith Agriculture and Food
Conor Lenihan Foreign Affairs
