Minor Cabinet reshuffle announced

A minor Cabinet reshuffle has been announced by the Government following a Cabinet meeting this afternoon at which the Taoiseach accepted the resignation of Ned O'Keefe as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture.

There are two new appointments - Minister of State Noel Davern will take over Ned O'Keefe's position as Junior Minister with special responsibility for food and Deputy Eamon O'Cuiv is to be appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.

Deputy Mary Coughlan is appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

The news will be a disappointment to Dublin TD Brian Lenihan, who was hotly tipped for a promotion.

Eamon O'Cuiv will have special responsibility for rural development while Mary Coughlan will have special responsibility for the Gaeltacht and the islands.