Profile of the new ministers

A look at the new ministers in the Cabinet reshuffle

PAT CAREY: As Government chief whip, Pat Carey, TD for Dublin North-West, was already entitled to sit at the Cabinet table. A former vice-principal of St. Finian's School, Finglas, Mr Carey was born in Castlemaine, Co Kerry.

Mr Carey was first elected as a Dáil deputy in 1997 on his third attempt. He was a member of Dublin County Council from 1985 until 2001.

He was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, with special responsibility for the national drugs strategy in June 2007.

He was appointed Minister of State at the Departments of an Taoiseach and Defence in May 2008. The 62-year-old was educated at Presentation Brothers, Milltown, Co. Kerry, St Patrick's Teachers’ Training College, Drumcondra, University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. He is single.

TONY KILLEEN: First elected to the Dáil in 1992, Clare TD Tony Killeen was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in April 2009.

He served as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment between 2004 and 2007.

Mr Killeen, who lives in Corofin, Co Clare, has spoken about his experience of bowel cancer as part of an Irish Cancer Society campaign.

He was educated at St. Flannans College in Ennis and Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. A former national school teacher, he is married with five sons. He is 57.

JOHN CURRAN: New Government chief whip John Curran has been promoted from his position as Minister of State with responsibility for drugs.

He was elected to South Dublin County Council in 1999 and the Dáil in 2002 for the constituency of Dublin Mid-West.

He was educated at Moyle Park College, Clondalkin and University College Dublin (BCom). He is married with three children. He will turn 50 this year.

Mr Curran served as deputy Government whip until his appointment as Minister of State in May. Until today, Mr Curran laboured under the title: Minister of State for the National Drugs Strategy, Community Affairs and Integration at the Departments of Community, Rural, and Gaeltacht Affairs, Justice Equality and Law Reform and Education and Science.

CIARAN CUFFE: The Green Party TD for Dun Laoghaire was first elected to the Dáil in 2002 and speaks for the party on Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Transport, and Foreign Affairs.

He was born in Shankill and educated at Gonzaga College in Ranelagh and University College Dublin. He spent a year at the University of Venice in Italy. He studied architecture and town planning.

He joined the Greens while still in his teens. Mr Cuffe lives with his partner and has two sons. He is 46.

MARY WHITE: The Green Party's deputy leader represents Carlow-Kilkenny. She was first elected to the Dail in 2007, after two unsuccessful attempts.

She was educated at the Ursuline Convent, Waterford and Trinity College Dublin. She is married with one daughter.

After former Green Senator Deirdre de Burca resigned from the Oireachtas, Ms White wrote a letter to party members saying the former senator had levelled “scathing, unfair and totally groundless criticisms” against party leader John Gormley.

SEAN CONNICK: Born in New Ross, Co Wexford, Mr Connick was elected for the first time in 2007.

He uses a wheelchair as a result of a road traffic accident in 1977. His father the late John Connick was well known in the motor industry. He is married.

Mr Connick was elected to Wexford County Council in 2004 and New Ross Town Council. His proposals for a car scrappage scheme were included in the last Budget.