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Ireland's Kenny announces new cabinet

Xinhua, May 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny on Friday evening announced his new cabinet, including four independent TDs taking up ministerial or junior ministerial positions.

Earlier, Kenny, who has been Fine Gael (United Ireland Party) leader since 2002, was approved as Taoiseach by the Dail Eireann, lower house of Irish parliament.

In the parliament election, Kenny secured 59 votes in favor and 49 votes against. He won 50 votes from his party and 9 from independent TDs, which can guarantee him forming a minority government.

Among the new Fine Gael ministers are Simon Harris (Health), Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation) and Michael Creed (Agriculture, Food and the Marine).

Kenny also holds the post of the minister for defense. Frances Fitzgerald was appointed as Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), while still retaining the position of minister for justice and equality.

Both Michael Noonan (Finance) and Charlie Flanagan (Foreign Affairs and Trade) stay in their previous roles.

The four independent TDs are Katherine Zappone (Children and Youth Affairs), Shane Ross (Transport, Tourism and Sport), Denis Naughten (Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources) and Finian McGrath (minister of state with responsibility for disability).

In this cabinet reshuffle, Kenny set up a new Department of Regional Development and Rural Affairs, and Heather Humphreys, former minister for arts, heritage and the Gaeltacht, was appointed as the new department's head. Endit