The three new members of the Cabinet joined their new colleagues in Áras an Uachtaráin this evening to receive their Seal of Office and attend a brief Cabinet meeting after Mr Ahern completed his long awaited reshuffled of his front bench.
The Labour Party leader Mr Pat Rabbiette said thirteen of the 16 faces at the Cabinet table remained the same and it reflected the decision by the Taoiseach to interchange a number of existing ministers.
As was widely expected Mr Brian Cowen is moving from the Department of Foreign Affairs to become the new Minister for Finance, replacing Mr Charlie McCreevy who has been appointed as European Commissioner.
Mr Ahern praised the departing Mr McCreevy, who, he said, had introduced a number of important reforms including a reform of the taxation system and also introducing the national pension reserve fund. He said the former Minister for Finance was ideally suited to represent the State in the European Commission.
"In bringing in new members to the cabinet ... I am renewing the ministerial team with energetic and ambitious colleagues," Mr Ahern said. "By reassigning departmental responsibilities, I am taking the opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to achieving our objectives".
He also confirmed that the Tánaiste, Ms Harney is swapping positions with Mr Micheál Martin, have requested a move to the Department. She will take up the challenge of implementing health service reforms at the Department while Mr Martin becomes the new Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment.
Mr Martin Cullen is moving from the Department of the Environment to become the new Minister for Transport, replacing Mr Séamus Brennan who has moved the Department of Social and Family Affairs. It is understood that this was the only portfolio offered to Mr Dempsey and the move is seen by many as a demotion.
The former Government Chief Whip Ms Mary Hanafin has been appointed to the Department of Education and she admitted that the Taoiseach had only told her of his decision this afternoon.
As a result of this decision Mr Noel Dempsey has been moved to the Department of Communications Marine and Natural Resources, again a move that many would see as demotion.
However, Mr Dermot Ahern has been handed a very significant posting, leaving Communications Marine and Natural Resources to become the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, replacing Mr Cowen.
Mr Ahern also told the Dáil he had appointed former Minister of State, Mr Dick Roche, as the new Minister for the Environment, and a great cheer went up from the assembled deputies when he confirmed the promotion of the former Minister of State, Mr Willie O'Dea, as the new Minister for Defence.
Mr O'Dea replaces Mr Michael Smith who resigned from ministerial office despite a spirited and long-running campaign to retain his portfolio.
Another Minister of State, Mr Tom Kitt, has been appointed as the new Government Chief Whip.
Ms Mary Coughlan has been appointed as the new Minister for Agriculture replacing Mr Joe Walsh, who confirmed his retirement from the Government front bench.
The Taoiseach said there would be five new Ministers of State, Mr Sean Power, Mr Batt O'Keeffe, Mr Brendan Smith, Mr Conor Lenihan and Mr Tony Killeen.
Mr Ahern has also announced that Minister of State, and former Minister Mr Jim McDaid had resigned.
There was a four hour debate in the Dáil about the new ministers and their appointment was carried by a margin of 80 votes to 55.
The new cabinet is as follows:
Agriculture and Food: Mary Coughlan
Communications, Marine and Natural Resources: Noel Dempsey
Defence: Willie O'Dea
Education and Science: Mary Hanafin
Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Micheál Martin
Environment and Local Government: Dick Roche
Finance: Brian Cowen
Foreign Affairs: Dermot Ahern
Health and Children: Mary Harney
Social and Family Affairs: Séamus Brennan
Transport: Martin Cullen
Unchanged:
Arts, Sports, Tourism: John O'Donoghue
Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: Eamon O'Cuiv
Justice Equality and Law Reform: Michael McDowell