Five new Ministers of State appointed

Five new Ministers of State have been appointed in a significant shake-up of the junior ministerial ranks.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen received Cabinet approval today for changes that will see Tipperary TD Martin Mansergh take up the post of Minister for State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and the Arts.

The new ministerial line-up also includes Laois–Offaly TD John Moloney, who was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, Disability Issues and Mental Health, and Roscommon–South Leitrim’s Michael Finneran who becomes Minister of State with responsibility for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Minister of State Martin Mansergh

The two other new Ministers are Dublin Mid-West TD John Curran who takes up the Drugs Strategy and Community Affairs portfolio, and Limerick TD Peter Power who becomes Minister for State with responsibility for Overseas Development.

There were three casualties, the most notable of which was Donegal TD Pat "The Cope" Gallagher who lost his post as Minister for Health Promotion and Food Safety to Mary Wallace.

Long-serving Minister of State Michael Ahern, and Wexford's John Browne also lost their positions in the shake-up.

Mr Ahern was replaced by Sligo’s Jimmy Devins as Minister of State with responsibility for Science, Technology and Innovation while Tony Killeen takes over Mr Browne’s former post as Minister for State with responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry.

Dublin TDs Seán Haughey and Conor Lenihan retained their posts as Minister of State for Education and Minister of Integration respectively.

Tipperary TD Máire Hoctor also continues as Minister for State with responsibility for Older People, as does Cork TD Billy Kelleher who maintains his labour affairs portfolio.

Four Ministers of State were appointed last week following a special meeting of the new Cabinet. Dún Laoghaire TD Barry Andrews was appointed to a "super-junior" position with responsibility for children.

The three others were minister with responsibility for food Trevor Sargent, Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche and Government chief whip Pat Carey. Mr Carey will also be Minister of State for with special responsibility for Active Citizenship, it was announced today.

Former chief whip Tom Kitt is understood to have been offer a junior minister post but turned down the option.

The number of junior ministries was increased from 17 to 20 after last year’s general election. Junior ministers are appointed by the Government collectively unlike their senior counterparts who are appointed by the Taoiseach.

Full list of appointments:

Noel Ahernto be Minister of State at the Department of Transport (with special responsibility for Road Safety);

Seán Powerto be Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (with special responsibility for the Information Society and Natural Resources);

Tony Killeento be Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry);

Conor Lenihanto be Minister of State at the Departments of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform (with special responsibility for Integration Policy);

Mary Wallaceto be Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (with special responsibility for Health Promotion and Food Safety);

Seán Haugheyto be Minister of State at the Departments of Education and Science and Enterprise, Trade and Employment (with special responsibility for Lifelong Learning and School Transport);

Michael Kittto be Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (with special responsibility for Local Services);

Billy Kelleherto be Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (with special responsibility for Labour Affairs);

John McGuinnessto be Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (with special responsibility for Trade and Commerce);

Jimmy Devinsto be Minister of State at the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Education and Science (with special responsibility for Science, Technology and Innovation);

Máire Hoctorto be Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, at the Department of Social and Family Affairs and at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (with special responsibility for Older People);

John Moloneyto be Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, at the Department of Education and Science, at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform (with special responsibility for Equality, Disability Issues and Mental Health);

Michael Finneranto be Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (with special responsibility for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas);

John Curranto be Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (with special responsibility for Drugs Strategy and Community Affairs);

Peter Powerto be Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (with special responsibility for Overseas Development);

Martin Manserghto be Minister of State at the Department of Finance (including special responsibility for the Office of Public Works) and at the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism (with special responsibility for the Arts);

Pat Careyis to be Minister of State with special responsibility for Active Citizenship