Kenny appoints Bruton as FG deputy leader

Newly-elected Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny today pledged to revitalise the party after its disastrous election result and to create "a real alternative" to Fianna Fáil led government.

In his first act as leader, Mr Kenny appointed Mr Richard Bruton, whom he defeated for the leadership of the party, as deputy leader. Announcing his frontbench team, Mr Kenny said Mr Bruton would also act as spokesman on Finance.

Mr Gay Mitchell was appointed spokesman on Foreign Affairs, while former taoiseach Mr John Bruton was appointed to the front bench without portfolio.

Mr Kenny described his team as a "blend of youth and experience" which he said would "provide vigourous, effective and constructive opposition to the new Cabinet."

He said it was "a fresh team for a fresh start for Fine Gael and for the country."

Other key appointments included Mr Bernard Allen as Environment spokesman, Ms Olwyn Enright as Education spokeswoman and Mr Phil Hogan as Enterprise, Trade and Employment spokesman.

Mr Richard Bruton

The only notable absence was former leader Mr Michael Noonan, who is said to have declined a position for the time being.

Mr Kenny took the opportunity to announce that his party would rejoin the Forum on Europe. He said the move was appropriate in light of the fact that there was to be another referendum on the Nice Treaty.

Mr Kenny said he had spoken to the chairman of the Forum, Senator Maurice Hayes, and the Taoiseach on the matter.

In his first serious attack on the Government as Fine Gael leader, he said the Programme for Government contained "only the froth and bubble of aspiration."

He said if it is notable for anything, "it is its elasticity, its lack of any measurable timeframe for delivery and the absence of targets."

"The Programme for Government could," he said "be subtitled How long is a piece of string?"

Full list of Fine Gael front bench announced today:

Mr Richard Bruton - Deputy Leader and spokesman on Finance
Mr Gay Michell - Foreign Affairs
Mr Phil Hogan - Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Mr Dinny McGinley - Defence
Mr Billy Timmins - Agriculture and Food
Ms Olwyn Enright - Education and Science
Ms Olivia Mitchell - Health and Children
Mr Simon Coveney - Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
Mr Denis Naughten - Transport
Mr Bernard Allen - Environment and Local Government
Mr Fergus O'Dowd - Community and Rural Development and the Gaeltacht
Mr Michael Ring - Social and Family Affairs
Mr John Deasy - Justice Equality and Law Reform
Mr Jimmy Deenihan - Art, Sport and Tourism
Mr Paul Connaughton - Regional Development
Mr Bernard Durkan - Chief Whip
Mr John Bruton - without portfolio