The appointments of 15 Ministers of State to the new Government reflect a mixture of political horse-trading and extreme caution, compensation for lost Cabinet status and geographic considerations. Only two entirely new faces have been promoted to the Government benches.
They were drawn from the Progressive Democrats, where Mr Tom Parlon and Mr Tim O'Malley were nominated by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, to join that elite band who enjoyed government promotion on election to the Dáil.
The Cabinet changes made by the Taoiseach two weeks ago, when he replaced four senior ministers, were depicted as adventurous, if not radical. Three of the four people sacked in that reshuffle, Ms Sile de Valera, Dr Jim McDaid and Mr Frank Fahey, have been compensated on this occasion with junior ministerial positions. Evidence of the same caution and unwillingness to give lasting offence to prominent party members was reflected in Mr Ahern's decision to recognise three former junior ministers, Mr Michael Ahern, Mr Liam Aylward and Mr John Browne, who were passed over in the formation of his last government. In all, only five of the thirteen Fianna Fáil Ministers of State appointed yesterday were under 50 years of age.
That said, some difficult decisions were taken. Five of the eight Fianna Fáil Ministers of State who survived the election were not reappointed. No great surprise was occasioned by the dropping of Mr Dan Wallace, Mr Noel Davern and Mr Joe Jacob. But similar treatment meted out to Ms Mary Wallace and Mr Eoin Ryan generated shock, especially in light of the former ministers who were reappointed. As for the three new Fianna Fáil faces, Mr Brian Lenihan has been awaiting recognition for some time, while the appointment of Mr Noel Ahern and Mr Ivor Callely, may reflect a desire to increase Government representation in North Dublin.
The allocation of areas of accountability is likely to generate some controversy. Responsibility for the insurance industry, which had been held by Mr Noel Treacy as Minister of State, has been taken over by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Ms Harney. Along with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr McDowell, she will now drive reform in the insurance area. The Taoiseach had promised to give special responsibility for the Marine to a Minister of State and to include the title of "Marine" within the new Department of Communications and Natural Resources. But his appointment of Mr John Browne, whose expertise is in the areas of agriculture and environment protection, is unlikely to impress the industry. The Taoiseach will have disappointed more of his supporters than he will have pleased by these changes. And the message for young, ambitious back-benchers will have been extremely negative.