Five new Ministers of State named

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has appointed five new faces to his junior ministerial team.

Peter Power of Limerick East takes on responsibility for Overseas Aid.

John Moloney of Laois Offaly goes to Equality and Disability.

Michael Finneran of Roscommon South Leitrim will be Minister for Housing.

Martin Mansergh of Tipperary South takes on responsibility for the Office of Public Works.

Dublin Mid-West’s John Curran becomes Minister for Drugs.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has said the number of junior ministries should be cut.

Mr Kenny said the number of Ministers of State had risen from seven to ten to 15 and is now more than 20.

He said some Ministers of State did not have areas of responsibility they could act independently on.

The other Ministers of State and their areas of special responsibility are:

Noel Ahern: Dept of Transport – Road Safety

Sean Power: Dept of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources – Information Society

Tony Killeen: Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: Fisheries and forestry

Conor Lenihan: Depts of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Education and Justice – Integration policy

Mary Wallace: Dept of Health – Health Promotion and Food Safety

Sean Haughey: Dept of Education and Enterprise – Lifelong learning and School Transport

Michael Kitt: Dept of Environment, Heritage & Local Government – Local Services

Billy Kelleher: Dept of Enterprise, Trade & Employment – Labour Affairs

John McGuinness: Dept of Enterprise, Trade & Employment – Trade and Commerce

Jimmy Devins: Depts of Enterprise, Trade & Employment and Education & Science – Science and Technnology

Maire Hoctor: Depts of Health & Children, Social and Family Affairs and Environment & Local Government – Older People.