Cowen to reveal revamped Cabinet

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is set to announce his reshuffled Cabinet this afternoon, along with a reworking of some government departments.

The Taoiseach will be bringing in at least two new faces to replace Willie O'Dea and Martin Cullen.

It is also now expected the Greens will boost their Ministerial numbers with an extra junior post.

The Cabinet will meet as usual this morning but once the agenda is dealt with, Mr Cowen will formally begin the reshuffle.

When the Dáil sits this afternoon Mr Cowen will introduce his team, with two new faces.

Among those tipped for promotion are Tony Killeen, Pat Carey, Conor Lenihan, Barry Andrews and Darragh Calleary.

Along with the shake-up of the faces at the table, Mr Cowen is also reworking some government departments.

This could involve moving FÁS and job training functions to the Department of Social and Family Affairs, a new Department of Economic Planning and Enterprise, and reviving the old Department of Tourism and Trade.

Labour has already warned that it won't be a reshuffle unless Mary Harney is moved from Health.

The party will put down a motion of no confidence in her if she retains the Health brief.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern arrived at Government Buildings this morningsaying he believed the reshuffle would keep the coalition together.

"We are working well with the Greens and our goal is to complete the term that we were given," Minister Ahern said.

"The situation in the country, from a jobs point of view, is difficult for people and that's our number one priority."

Meanwhile Green Party leader John Gormley met Mr Cowen last night and it is thought agreement was reached to give the junior coalition partner two junior ministerial posts - meaning 66% of their TDs will be ministers.