Why McCreevy's going: 'Events, dear boy, events'

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern signalled the most radical Cabinet reshuffle of his tenure last night following the dramatic announcement by Charlie McCreevy that he will become Ireland's next EU Commissioner.

Shortly after 8pm last night, a subdued Finance Minister announced that he was taking up the position offered to him by Mr Ahern last week.

Mr McCreevy said he had been asked by Mr Ahern last Tuesday to take up the position and had "oscillated" over the offer for a week before contacting the Taoiseach yesterday afternoon to say he had accepted his offer.