Taoiseach announces reshuffled cabinet

The Taoiseach has new appointments to his reshuffled cabinet in the Dáil this afternoon, with three new cabinet members and the Tánaiste becoming Minister for Health.

The Taoiseach has named Tánaiste Mary Harney to the key role of Minister for Health and Children.

As expected, Brian Cowen has been named the new Minister for Finance. Dermot Ahern becomes Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Noel Dempsey has been moved from Education to the Communications portfolio. The new Minister for Education is Mary Hanafin.

Outgoing Minister for Health Micheál Martin has been moved to the Enterprise, Trade and Employment ministry.

Séamus Brennan has been transferred to Minister for Social and Family Affairs from the Department of Transport.

Martin Cullen replaces Séamus Brennan as Minister for Transport, having served as Minister for the Environment. Dick Roche is the new Minister for the Environment.

Mary Coughlan is the new Minister for Food and Agriculture. Previous minister Joe Walsh is retiring.

Meanwhile Limerick TD Willie O'Dea has been named the new Minister for Defence.

The outgoing ministers are Joe Walsh (retiring), Micheal Smyth, formerly Minister for Defence and Charlie McCreevy, who has become a European Commissioner.

The Taoiseach also said Sean Power, Batt O'Keeffe, Tony Kileen and Conor Lenihan would move from the backbenches and become Junior Ministers.

Tom Kitt is the new Government chief whip.