Ahern tells ministers who’s in and who’s out

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern is thought to have completed his deliberations on the shape of the new Cabinet and has begun the process of informing ministers of their status.

Although the speculation that Tánaiste Mary Harney will become Health Minister in the reshuffle intensified over the weekend, some sources still maintained last night the Department of Education was Ms Harney’s preferred destination.

Mr Ahern is believed to have consulted with Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen and Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue to seek their guidance about his line-up.