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, writes 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 Tanaiste 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, ommunications/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
Leo Varadkar
Children
Katherine Zappone
Jobs
Mary Mitchell O Connor
Marine, Housing and Environment
Simon Coveney
Agriculture
Michael Creed
Foreign Affairs
Charlie Flanagan
Public Expenditure and Reform
Paschal Donohoe
Rural Affairs
Heather Humphreys
Education
Richard Bruton
Disability (super junior position allowing a place but not a vote at cabinet)
Finian McGrath
Defence (super junior position allowing a place but not a vote at cabinet)
Paul Kehoe
Attorney general
Maire Whelan
Communications/Climate Change
Denis Naughten
