Those who gained in the Fine Gael reshuffle
SEÁN BARRETT
First elected in 1981 he retired in 2002 but was asked to run again in the 2007 general election. A former defence minister, the Dún Laoghaire TD was one of the first to line up behind Enda Kenny in the recent heave. Combative in the Dáil chamber, as foreign affairs spokesman he will give Micheál Martin a run for his money.
MICHAEL NOONAN
The return of Michael Noonan to the front rank of Irish politics represents a remarkable comeback for a politician who has played a leading role in government and opposition for two decades before 2002. Mr Noonan was first elected to the Dáil as a TD for Limerick East in 1981, and was appointed to the cabinet as minister for justice in Garret FitzGerald's second government in 1982. When Fine
Gael went into opposition in 1987, and Alan Dukes became leader, Mr Noonan was appointed as the party spokesman on finance. In 1993 he was involved in a heave against then party leader John Bruton, and ended up on the losing side. When Fine Gael went into government the following year, Mr Noonan was brought back from the wilderness and appointed as minister for health. Back in
opposition after 1997, Mr Noonan was again appointed spokesman on finance. He remained in that position until his involvement in a second failed heave against Mr Bruton in 2001, when he went
to the backbenches. Finally, after a third, successful heave that resulted in Mr Bruton's defeat, Mr
Noonan took over as leader of Fine Gael, defeating Enda Kenny in the leadership election that followed. He led Fine Gael in the general election of 2002 which resulted in a disaster for the party and its worst result since 1948. Mr Noonan resigned immediately and has taken a low-profile role in national politics since then.
DEIRDRE CLUNE
Fine Gael royalty, she is a daughter of Peter Barry, the “best leader the party never had” and granddaughter of Anthony Barry TD, from the highly respected tea-blending family of Cork merchant princes. Her background as a civil engineer should be good preparation for the innovation and research portfolio.
ALAN SHATTER
Sharp legal brain who made the HSE's windows rattle as spokesman on children. Now he widens his remit to justice and law reform, but has been there before. Formidable in debate, his Dáil confrontations with Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern should be the political equivalent of
bare-knuckle boxing.
MICHAEL RING
One of the most colourful characters in the Dáil, the former auctioneer has emerged a winner in the
testing arena of Mayo politics. As Social Protection spokesman he will be up against the formidable "Dev Og" – Minister Éamon Ó Cuív – and their battles will keep the west and everyone else
awake.
DR JAMES REILLY
Highly energetic health spokesman gets his reward for backing Enda by replacing Richard Bruton as deputy leader. Only three years in the Dáil, but was formerly president of the Irish Medical
Organisation. His prominence disproves the contention that bearded men can't succeed in
Irish politics.