Junior ministerial line-up to be unveiled

The Coalition is expected to announce a raft of junior ministerial appointments today including new positions in social protection and environment.

Several junior ministers could be dropped when the appointments are decided.

TDs facing challenges to get re-elected will pay particular attention to who Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Joan Burton choose as their ministers of state. While Labour has command over five positions, Fine Gael has control over nine ministerial junior posts.