The Taoiseach yesterday named Brian Cowen as Tánaiste and Minister for Finance in a new Cabinet line-up which included only three new faces.
Green Party TDs Eamon Ryan and John Gormley and Fianna Fáil TD Brian Lenihan were announced as the fresh blood in Mr Ahern's frontbench team, while former ministers Dick Roche and John O'Donoghue found themselves excluded.
There was some consolation for both men, with Mr O'Donoghue elected Ceann Comhairle, a position which carries a ministerial salary and a guaranteed return to the Dáil, while the Taoiseach announced that Mr Roche will be appointed Minister of State for European Affairs, a post he held before.
As well as Mr Cowen, several other Ministers retained their portfolios, including the PDs' Mary Harney, who stays in Health and Children; Dermot Ahern in Foreign Affairs; Micheál Martin in Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Éamon Ó Cuív in Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs; Mary Coughlan in Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Mary Hanafin in Education and Science; and Willie O'Dea in Defence.
Séamus Brennan switches from Social and Family Affairs to Arts, Sport and Tourism, a brief that had belonged to Mr O'Donoghue. Meanwhile, Martin Cullen, former transport minister, takes over at Social Affairs.
Noel Dempsey has moved to Transport and Marine, while Eamon Ryan takes over at Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The second Green Party Minister, Mr Gormley, has been appointed to Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dick Roche's old department. Brian Lenihan is the new Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, replacing Michael McDowell.
Mr Ahern announced that Tom Kitt retains the chief whip post and the new Attorney General is senior counsel Paul Gallagher, following the decision of the former attorney general, Rory Brady SC, not to seek reappointment.
Mr Ahern did some minor reconfiguring of Government departments, saying the changes were in the interests of a better alignment of functions.
Specifically he has reallocated responsibility for sea fisheries to the Department of Agriculture and Food, and has transferred responsibility for non-national roads and the national vehicle and driver file to the Department of Transport. The main responsibility for marine now lies with the Department of Transport, with the exception of the fisheries areas.
Mr Ahern said other minor reallocations "to produce better and more efficient groups of specific activities" are to be announced in the coming days.
He said in selecting his new Ministers he had regard to the record of achievement of many who had "made an outstanding contribution to public life and to policy over recent years".
Mr Ahern said he also had regard for the talents and energy of others who had much to contribute. "I am particularly conscious of the fact that a number of Ministers have held office in their departments for only 2½ years. I believe there is a strong case to enable Ministers to continue in some departments for a further period."
The Taoiseach said there would be an opportunity in the mid-term review of the Government's programme to consider further the allocation of ministerial responsibilities.