Taoiseach Enda Kenny announces new Cabinet

Fri, 06 May, 2016 - 19:56

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has announced his new Cabinet, while includes demotions for senior ministers, new appointees, a 25-75% female-male split and three Independents at the cabinet table, write Fiachra Ó Cionnaith, Juno McEnroe and Elaine Loughlin.

The Fine Gael leader confirmed the appointments after a day of drama which at one stage led to suggestions a second election may be called.

Mr Kenny will remain as Taoiseach, with Frances Fitzgerald taking up the Tánaiste role vacated by Labour's Joan Burton and continuing as Justice Minister.

Independents Katherine Zappone, Denis Naughten and Finian McGrath will take up the Children, Communications/Climate Change and super junior Disability ministerial positions.

Four women will be at the cabinet table, including Ms Fitzgerald, Ms Zappone, Mary Mitchell O Connor as Jobs Minister and Regina Doherty as chief whip.

Simon Coveney moves from Agriculture and Defence to Marine, Housing and Environment, while Michael Creed becomes Agriculture Minister and former chief whip Paul Kehoe takes up the Defence Minister mantle as a junior minister in the Department of the Taoiseach.

In a move some believe is a significant demotion, Leo Varadkar has been removed from health after just two years and will become Social Protection Minister.

Former OPW junior minister Simon Harris will now become Health Minister.

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe becomes Public Expenditure and Reform Minister, while Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan remains in the position.

Arts Minister Heather Humphreys moves to Rural Affairs with Arts included in the portfolio and Jobs Minister Richard Bruton moves to Education.

Labour's attorney general appointment in the previous government Maire Whelan will remain in the role.

The full list can be read below:

Taoiseach

Enda Kenny

Tanaiste and Justice

Frances Fitzgerald

Government chief whip

Regina Doherty

Health

Simon Harris

Social Protection