JUNIOR MINISTERS:TWO MINISTERS of State nominated for appointment by new Taoiseach Brian Cowen will be entitled to attend Cabinet meetings but will not have a vote there.
They are the new chief whip Pat Carey, who also becomes Minister of State in the Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence, and Barry Andrews, who becomes Minister of State for Children and Youth Affairs.
The Taoiseach also re-nominated the Green Party's Trevor Sargent as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with special responsibility for Food and Horticulture. Fianna Fáil's Dick Roche was renominated as Minister of State for European Affairs.
Paying tribute to Mr Roche's almost single-handed party campaign for the Lisbon Treaty, Mr Cowen said he had "a tremendous record of work in relation to furthering Ireland's engagement with the European Union.
"His enthusiasm and commitment will continue to serve us well in the immediate and vital task of promoting a Yes vote in the forthcoming referendum."
Ministers of State are appointed by the Cabinet on the nomination of the Taoiseach. Formerly known as Parliamentary Secretaries, these positions are not mentioned in the Constitution .
The positions of the four Ministers of State fell to be ratified by the new Cabinet at its first meeting in Arás an Uachtarain last night, after the senior ministers had received their seals of office from President McAleese. The other minister of State positions are expected to be announced next week.
Chief whip is seen as a very demanding position with the need to ensure that sufficient forces are marshalled in the Dáil to win every vote for the Government. The Taoiseach of the day takes a dim view of any failures in this regard.
