The Taoiseach promised a vigorous performance from the Government for the rest of its term when he announced his ministerial changes yesterday.
"The Government is roughly half-way through its term. We intend to pursue with vigour the mountain of work that remains to be completed, so that not just the Government but the Dail as a whole can present an excellent report on both achievements and work in progress to the electorate when the time comes," Mr Ahern said.
The Taoiseach announced the appointments of Mr Brian Cowen as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheal Martin as Minister for Health, Dr Michael Woods as Minister for Education, and Mr Frank Fahey as Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources.
He also appointed Dublin South East TD Mr Eoin Ryan as Minister of State for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, and Dun Laoghaire TD Ms Mary Hanafin as Minister of State for Health and Children.
Paying tribute to the outgoing minister for foreign affairs, Mr David Andrews, the Taoiseach said: "Having been minister of state in Iveagh House from 1977 to 1979, Deputy Andrews was first appointed minister for foreign affairs in 1992. He participated in the earlier round of multi-party talks. From October 1997 he represented the Government throughout the negotiation of the Good Friday agreement, where he led a very strong Government team. Warm appreciation of his contribution has been expressed in the last few days by some of the leading members of the main pro-agreement parties, both unionist and nationalist.
"In addition to Northern Ireland, Deputy Andrews will be remembered particularly for his internationalist approach, for his initiatives with other countries to work towards complete nuclear disarmament, and his role as EU representative in East Timor. In a previous government he was the first to highlight the humanitarian plight in Somalia, together with President Robinson. He has also conducted a very effective campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council, which we hope to bring to a successful conclusion over the next few months."
He said the Government and the House could be grateful for the important qualitative contribution Mr Andrews had made to political life and to Irish foreign policy. "He has, with his brother Niall, been a standard-bearer of a proud and continuous family tradition of public service going back to the foundation of the State."
Mr Ahern announced "with great regret" the resignation of minister of state Mr Chris Flood. "He is doing so for health reasons and on medical advice. He has also informed me that he will not contest the next general election."
He praised Mr Flood's contribution to policy on social inclusion: "He has played a particularly significant role in the practical development of the rights and entitlements of the Traveller community. As a result of his work, significant advances have been made in the position of Travellers in this country, and there is now more understanding of the problems facing their community and the need for sympathetic action to deal with them."
Mr Ahern added that Mr Flood had played a major role in co-ordinating the national drugs strategy.
The Taoiseach said that for a minority Coalition Government, the role of the chief whip was absolutely vital.
"The present Chief Whip, Minister Seamus Brennan, whose long political experience is of great value to the Cabinet, would have a strong claim at this stage to return to a departmental ministry. He is, however, indispensable to the good running and functioning of the Government as a whole, and indeed of this Dail, and I am, unfortunately, not in a position to spare him for another purpose."
The Opposition challenged a vote on Mr Fahey's appointment, which the Government won by 74 votes to 68.