Dramatic reshuffle catches many off guard

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen delivered an unexpectedly wide-ranging cabinet reshuffle which saw eight departments change hands.

The biggest surprise came with the appointment of Brian Lenihan to the key role of finance minister after less than a year at the top table covering the justice portfolio.

There was another dramatic promotion for Mary Coughlan who left the Agriculture Department to become tánaiste and minister for enterprise.