Enda Kenny is set to name 12 new junior ministers today.

Ten of the jobs are set to go to TDs from Fine Gael – with two being given to Independents.

An announcement is expected after this morning’s cabinet meeting.

Political Analyst Noel Whelan has said gender, generation and geography will be three of the Taoiseach’s main considerations as he appoints his Junior Ministerial team: “Any TD who becomes a junior minister today firstly is wedded into that arrangement with the Government even within Fine Gael they are wedded in to support Government policy, although they are not bound by cabinet confidentiality.

“Today the Taoiseach will try to cover the basis in his political party making sure he has prominent number of female ministers, making sure he has covered various parts of the country, making sure perhaps he has brought some of his critics into the tent.”