Those who were promoted and those who lost out
PROMOTED
Áine Brady
One of three Kitt siblings who are TDs, her elevation to a junior ministry comes on the same day that her brother Micheál was dropped. Her brother Tom is a former chief whip who lost his position when Brian Cowen became Taoiseach last year. Ms Brady is a new TD, having topped the poll in Kildare North in 2007. She stood unsuccessfully in the byelection in the old constituency of Kildare in 2005. A former schoolteacher, she is married to a former TD, Gerry Brady, and is also the daughter of a TD.
Dara Calleary
Another first-time TD, Dara Calleary is one of a number of young deputies who have been building up their profiles since 2007. The Ballina-based deputy, who will be 36 next month, becomes the youngest junior Minister. A former executive with the chambers of commerce, he is also the son of a former TD. His father, Sean Calleary, was a TD for East Mayo for two decades who was also a minister of state.
DEMOTED
Máire Hoctor
The Tipperary North TD was minister with responsibility for older people. She was the Government minister who faced the brunt of public anger when medical cards were withdrew for over 70s. She was first elected to the Dáil in 2002 and is a former teacher. Defended Government policy, unpopular localy, on Nenagh Hosptial.
Seán Power
The Kildare South deputy was first elected in 1989 and has been a junior minister since 2004, serving in a number of departments, latterly in energy and communications.
John McGuinness
The biggest surprise of the seven demotions. The Kilkenny-based deputy was seen as an effective minister for trade and commerce, but may have been too outspoken. Criticised Brian Cowen and Brian Lenihan in a radio interview earlier this year.
Noel Ahern
The older brother of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been a junior minister since 2002. His current department, transport, is his fourth. A TD for Dublin North West since 1992, his profile has been lower since his brother resigned as taoiseach last year.
Jimmy Devins
A general medical practitioner from Sligo, he was first elected to the Dail in 2002. Dr Devins was promoted by Bertie Ahern in 2007 as minister of state for disability and mental health. Was highly regarded as a backbencher but was not seen as a particularly effective minister of state. Opposed Government policy on Sligo General Hospital.
Mary Wallace
The Meath East TD’s ministerial career seemed to have come to an end in 2002. But Bertie Ahern surprisingly reappointed her in 2006, following Ivor Callely’s resignation. She was reappointed in 2007 and again by Brian Cowen in 2008. Latterly in charge of health promotion, she had been widely tipped to lose her job.
Micheál Kitt
Only Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny was elected to the Dáil before Mr Kitt, who became a TD in 1975. One of three siblings in the current Dáil. He has had several junior ministerial stints and returned to the second-tier of ministers in 2007. He was the minister of state in environment with responsibility for local services and was very disappointed at his demotion.
Profiles by Harry McGee