Rabbitte announces new Labour front bench

The Labour party's new leader, Pat Rabbitte, has reshuffled his shadow cabinet after taking over the party reins from Ruairi Quinn.

Mr Rabbitte will look after Northern affairs himself, while his deputy leader, Liz McManus, retains responsibility for health.

Brendan Howlin, who lost the leadership election to Mr Rabbitte, will look after enterprise, trade and employment, while Eamon Gilmore becomes environment spokesman and Roisin Shortall becomes transport spokesperson.

Elsewhere, Joan Burton takes responsibility for finance, Willie Penrose will look after social and family affairs, Joe Costello is the new justice spokesman and Ruairi Quinn takes over as European affairs spokesman.