Ireland’s new government has been announced. In broad terms, it is much as expected. Fine Gael accounts for ten of the 15 senior ministers, the Labour Party for five. The finance portfolio has been split into two cabinet-level positions with one going to each party.
However, there are a number of surprises, particularly on the Labour side. Brendan Howlin takes the newly created public-sector reform position, rather than Joan Burton as had been widely expected. And contrary to indications earlier today, Ruairí Quinn—the only former finance minister on the Fine Gael and Labour benches—returns to the cabinet as minister for education and skills.
Here is the full list:
Enda Kenny (Fine Gael): Taoiseach
Eamon Gilmore (Labour): Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Michael Noonan (Fine Gael): Minister for Finance
Brendan Howlin (Labour): Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform
Richard Bruton (Fine Gael): Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation
Joan Burton (Labour): Minister for Social Protection
James Reilly (Fine Gael): Minister for Health
Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael): Minister for Children
Alan Shatter (Fine Gael): Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence
Ruairí Quinn (Labour): Minister for Education and Skills
Phil Hogan (Fine Gael): Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government
Pat Rabbitte (Labour): Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Leo Varadkar (Fine Gael): Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport
Simon Coveney (Fine Gael): Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food
Jimmy Deenihan (Fine Gael): Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs
Willie Penrose (Labour): will attend cabinet as a ‘super junior’ minister with specific responsibility for housing and planning
dublin notes 