Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny's reshuffle of the party's front bench has been partially overshadowed by fellow Mayo TD Mr Michael Ring's decision not to accept a place, writes Mark Hennessy, Political correspondent.
Mr Kenny offered Mr Ring the shadow marine portfolio yesterday morning, but Mr Ring, who was responsible for shadowing social and family affairs, furiously rejected it as a demotion.
In his reshuffle, Mr Kenny brought back former leader, Mr Michael Noonan, to a front-line political role to head up the Dáil Public Accounts Committee.
Former Independent TD, Dr Liam Twomey, who joined Fine Gael in late September, takes over the key health portfolio in place of Ms Olivia Mitchell, who moves to transport.
Fellow Wexford TD Mr Paul Kehoe, who played a significant role in attracting Mr Twomey to the party's ranks, has been elevated to chief whip in place of Mr Bernard Durkan.
Sligo/Leitrim TD Mr John Perry, who lost the Public Accounts Committee job to Mr Noonan, held onto a front bench place only because Mr Ring turned down the marine portfolio.
Mr Kenny had three front bench vacancies to fill because of the departure of Mr Gay Mitchell and Mr Simon Coveney to the European Parliament, and that of Mr John Bruton to Washington.
"I am convinced that this team, with a number of new faces, will bring a new freshness and vigour to politics," said Mr Kenny, during a press conference.
Each of the front bench, he said, would have to demonstrate over the next 2½ years "why they should be candidates" for ministerial office in a Fine Gael-led cabinet.
Mr Noonan was not present for yesterday's press conference because he is in the United States on "personal, family business", Mr Kenny volunteered.
Thanking Mr Kenny last night, Mr Noonan said: "I intend playing a full role in the formation and presentation of policy, with a view to giving the electorate a clear choice of an alternative government."
He believed Mr Liam Twomey would perform well in the shadow health portfolio despite his lack of experience: "He is a person of deep conviction, but also a person of expertise and integrity."
Angry at the treatment meted out to him, Mr Ring said he had "been demoted" despite "giving 25 years of my life to Fine Gael" when somebody "who is just in the door" gets health. Later, Mr Ring told Midwest Radio he was being punished for his recent comments on democracy and his support for Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon in her bid for a presidential nomination. "Of course I am being punished," he said.
Offering no apology, Mr Kenny said he believed the marine job was a "full" front bench role: "It is my prerogative to make an offer. It is anybody's prerogative to refuse."
Waterford TD Mr John Deasy, who lost his place as justice spokesman in April after he smoked in the Dáil bar, would not be brought back to the front bench on this occasion, said Mr Kenny.