Cabinet changes - So much reshuffled so little changed

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has fulfilled his description of the Cabinet changes as a reshuffle. The changes in ministerial portfolios are the most extensive made by any continuing Taoiseach since the declaration of the Emergency in 1939.

Yet, in a sense, the changes have been minimal. Only three new ministers have been brought into government, and two of those were to fill vacancies brought about by the appointment of Charlie McCreevy as European Commissioner and the voluntary retirement of Joe Walsh as agriculture minister.

The new appointments of Dick Roche, Mary Hanafin and Willie O’Dea will be seen as merited promotions, but the other changes are likely to be viewed as promotions or demotions. Brian Cowen, Dermot Ahern and Mary Coughlan were the big winners, but Noel Dempsey certainly seemed pleased with his appointment to communications, marine, and natural resources. It is a post that could well afford him ample scope for reform initiatives.