Coughlan and Hanafin downplay ‘demotions’

TÁNAISTE Mary Coughlan and Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin have attempted to downplay their demotions in the Cabinet reshuffle.

The Tánaiste, who was moved from the Department of Enterprise to the Department of Education, said she knew two weeks ago her portfolios were going to be changed.

She claimed to have helped Taoiseach Brian Cowen arrive at his reshuffle decisions.