Fine Gael Leader announces new Front Bench team

Fine Gael Leader Michael Noonan TD, has announced details of his new front bench. Mr Noonan's front bench is organised on the European style cabinet system with a reduced number of senior policy spokespersons, or team leaders appointed to key areas.

Each senior spokesperson will be supported by a team of two TDs and one

Senator, creating a cabinet or a team of four people led by the Front Bencher.

The deputy spokespersons will be appointed by Mr Noonan on the recommendation of the front bench team leaders. The persons selected and their portfolios are as follows:

Michael Noonan, TD Leader

Jim Mitchell, TD Deputy Leader and Finance

Alan Dukes, TD Agriculture, Marine and Natural Resources

Jim O'Keeffe, TD Foreign Affairs

Jim Higgins, TD Public Enterprise and Tourism

Charles Flanagan, TD Enterprise, Trade, Employment and local

Development

Gay Mitchell, TD Health

Alan Shatter, TD Justice & Security

Frances Fitzgerald TD Equality, Opportunity & Family Affairs

Dinny McGinley TD Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and The Islands

Brian Hayes TD Social and Community Affairs

Deirdre Clune TD Environmental and Consumer Protection

Michael Creed TD Education and Youth Affairs

Olivia Mitchell TD Housing and Local Government

Gerry Reynolds TD Western Development

Richard Bruton TD Director of Policy