Owen is among stalwarts dropped from front bench

Former Fine Gael deputy leader Ms Nora Owen and Mr Enda Kenny were the main exclusions from the Fine Gael front bench announced by party leader Mr Michael Noonan yesterday.

The new team also excluded former front-benchers Mr Denis Naughten, Mr Bernard Allen, Mr Michael Finucane and Mr Paul Connaughton.

Those who were promoted to the front bench included Donegal TD Mr Dinny McGinley, as spokesman on arts, heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands; Mr Michael Creed, as spokesman on education and youth affairs; and Ms Olivia Mitchell, as spokeswoman on housing and local government.

Mr Noonan said there was no personal animosity in his selection of the front bench. He said he understood former party leader Mr John Bruton did not want a front-bench position.

"It was indicated to me by a mutual friend that on this occasion John Bruton would not be interested in the front bench but I haven't confirmed that personally with John Bruton."

Any future Fine Gael Taoiseach would have to consider Mr Bruton's merits and qualities for cabinet or for any senior position on the international stage, he said.

The new front bench has 14 policy spokespersons, not including Mr Noonan; Mr Richard Bruton, director of policy; and Mr Phil Hogan, director of organisation.

This compares with 20 portfolio holders on Mr Bruton's front bench and 41 spokespeople in total. However, under Mr Noonan's new "cabinet" system, each front-bencher will have two deputy spokespersons and a senator in their cabinet. These appointments will be announced next week.

Under the new arrangements, Mr Noonan takes responsibility for Northern Ireland, while Mr Jim Mitchell is deputy leader and finance spokesman. Mr Mitchell will retire as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee when the DIRT report is completed.

The agriculture portfolio has been retained by Mr Alan Dukes and Mr Jim O'Keeffe has retained the foreign affairs portfolio.

As part of a new policy where front-bench spokespeople do not also hold office in the parliamentary party, Mr Phil Hogan and Mr Paul Bradford have retired as party chairman and secretary. Mr Hogan is now director of organisation, while Mr Bradford is chief whip.