Kenny hands newcomer Twomey health portfolio

Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny has kept faith with many of his high profile spokespersons in his front bench reshuffle announced today.

But he announced two changes which are sure to attract headlines, Dr Liam Twomey, who joined the party just last month has been handed the Health position while former leader Mr Michael Noonan makes a return to the front bench as spokesperson without portfolio.

The other big promotions are Mr Bernard Allen who has moved from Environment and Local Government to Foreign Affairs; and Louth TD, Mr Fergus O'Dowd who has moved from Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to repalce Mr Allen.

Many positions remain unchanged with deputy leader, Mr Richard Bruton, retaining the Finance position and Ms Olwyn Enright staying in Education. Mr Jim O'Keeffe retains the Justice position he was appointed to last year after Mr John Deasy was sacked for smoking in the Dail bar. Mr Deasy has not been brought back to the front bench in the reshuffle.

Mr Phil Hogan - considered Mr Kenny's closest confidante in on the front bench - also stays put, covering Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The other notable change is south Dublin TD, Ms Olivia Mitchell's move from Health to Transport, facilitated by the move of Mr Denis Naughten to Agriculture.

Former leader Mr Michael Noonan returns to the front bench as spokesperson without portfolio and chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. With his predecessor as leader, Mr John Bruton, soon to depart for Washington as EU ambassador to the US, Mr Noonan will take on the role of wise man of Irish politics unofficially occupied by the Meath TD. Mr Kenny said the Limerick TD's "talent and experience" will be used to full effect by the party in the run-in to the next general election.

Speaking at the announcement of his new front bench, Mr Kenny said he selected a team "which will use the best talents in the party to best effect".

"Our task is to provide effective opposition and to build the platform which will present Fine Gael as an alternative to Fianna Fáil in Government at the next general election.

"I am convinced that this team, working with the rest of the parliamentary party, our elected representatives and our organisation in every constituency will show the Irish people that there is a party which can take on Fianna Fáil at every level and win," he said.

While, Mr Kenny's reshuffle was made easier by the departure to Europe of Mr Gay Mitchell and Mr Simon Coveney, it has not been without controversy.

Mr Kenny's constituency colleague, Mr Michael Ring - always a colourful and controversial figure - has again found himself under the spotlight. His leader tried to move him from Social and Family Affairs to Communications and Marine but Mr Ring declined and has returned to the back benches.

Mr Kenny candidly told reporters: "he saw it as a demotion". The party leader will continue as spokesperson on Northern Ireland.