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09/03/2011
New Irish Government To Be Sworn In
The new Irish coalition government is due to be sworn in today with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny officially elected Taoiseach.
The make-up of the expected 15-strong cabinet will be unveiled when Mr Kenny takes to his feet in the Dáil chamber alongside coalition partners Labour, led by Eamon Gilmore.
Centre-right Fine Gael and centre-left Labour signed-off on a programme for government on Sunday after almost a week of negotiations and hard bargaining on policies.
Fine Gael is expected to get 10 ministerial portfolios and Labour five.
The 31st Dáil will kick-off at noon when the new Ceann Comhairle (speaker of the House) will be elected, followed by the appointment of the new Taoiseach and members of the cabinet.
The new Taoiseach will then travel to Áras an Uachtaráin – the residence of the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, who will present them with their seals of office.
Once the new Taoiseach has received the seal of office, the announcement of the members of the new Cabinet can follow in Leinster House.
Fine Gael's Michael Noonan is widely expected to get the coveted Finance portfolio, while Labour is tipped for the Attorney General post, giving the smaller party potentially six seats at the Cabinet table.
Other Fine Gael TDs tipped for a ministry include programme for government negotiators Phil Hogan and Alan Shatter, as well as Richard Bruton, Leo Varadkar, Sean Barrett, James Reilly, Simon Coveney and Jimmy Deenihan.
Labour hopefuls include former leaders Pat Rabbitte and Ruairi Quinn, Roisin Shortall and Brendan Howlin, with the party's current finance spokesperson Joan Burton widely expected to get the new finance brief with responsibility for expenditure and public sector reform.
The Department of Finance will be split in two and the new finance minister will look after budgets and taxes while an estimates and public service reform minister will take control of spending and the overhaul of the public sector.
Kenny will face his first official engagement on Friday when he travels to Brussels for a European Council meeting, where he will meet with other heads of state.
The two parties have pledged to renegotiate last December's €85bn European Union/International Monetary Fund bailout.
Under the partnership deal, a new super-ministry will also be set up within the cabinet to take sole charge of the country's economic direction.
(JG/KMcA)
The make-up of the expected 15-strong cabinet will be unveiled when Mr Kenny takes to his feet in the Dáil chamber alongside coalition partners Labour, led by Eamon Gilmore.
Centre-right Fine Gael and centre-left Labour signed-off on a programme for government on Sunday after almost a week of negotiations and hard bargaining on policies.
Fine Gael is expected to get 10 ministerial portfolios and Labour five.
The 31st Dáil will kick-off at noon when the new Ceann Comhairle (speaker of the House) will be elected, followed by the appointment of the new Taoiseach and members of the cabinet.
The new Taoiseach will then travel to Áras an Uachtaráin – the residence of the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, who will present them with their seals of office.
Once the new Taoiseach has received the seal of office, the announcement of the members of the new Cabinet can follow in Leinster House.
Fine Gael's Michael Noonan is widely expected to get the coveted Finance portfolio, while Labour is tipped for the Attorney General post, giving the smaller party potentially six seats at the Cabinet table.
Other Fine Gael TDs tipped for a ministry include programme for government negotiators Phil Hogan and Alan Shatter, as well as Richard Bruton, Leo Varadkar, Sean Barrett, James Reilly, Simon Coveney and Jimmy Deenihan.
Labour hopefuls include former leaders Pat Rabbitte and Ruairi Quinn, Roisin Shortall and Brendan Howlin, with the party's current finance spokesperson Joan Burton widely expected to get the new finance brief with responsibility for expenditure and public sector reform.
The Department of Finance will be split in two and the new finance minister will look after budgets and taxes while an estimates and public service reform minister will take control of spending and the overhaul of the public sector.
Kenny will face his first official engagement on Friday when he travels to Brussels for a European Council meeting, where he will meet with other heads of state.
The two parties have pledged to renegotiate last December's €85bn European Union/International Monetary Fund bailout.
Under the partnership deal, a new super-ministry will also be set up within the cabinet to take sole charge of the country's economic direction.
(JG/KMcA)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
