Cowen ready to ditch veterans in ministerial line-up

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen will announce his junior ministers today amid speculation he will jettison several veterans in favour of up-and-coming TDs.

It is understood that all the existing junior ministers were summoned to Dublin last night, with those facing the axe called in for individual meetings with Mr Cowen.

Mr Cowen’s junior ministerial line-up will go before today’s cabinet meeting for approval as a technicality. It is expected to be announced later this evening.