The new Fine Gael leader, Mr Michael Noonan, will announce a slimmed down front bench this afternoon designed to heal divisions in the party and rejuvenate its public image.
Mr Noonan has waited until this morning to tell colleagues whether they are in or out of his new team. He has promised to promote women and younger deputies as well as reward those with proven "political judgment".
There is strong speculation his new deputy leader, Mr Jim Mitchell, will be given the finance portfolio, but by last night Mr Noonan had told very few colleagues of his plans. Party figures believe his new front bench will have 16 members at most, compared with Mr Bruton's 23-member team. This would mean Mr Noonan would have to drop seven of the outgoing team and several more if he wants to promote newcomers.
The cut of seven or more persons will be made easier by the resignation of Mr John Bruton and Mr Ivan Yates's decision to quit politics at the next election.
The leader of the Fine Gael group in the European parliament, Ms Avril Doyle, and the party's Seanad leader, Senator Maurice Manning, are expected to retain their current responsibilities but no longer sit on the front bench. The party chairman, Mr Phil Hogan, will retain that position but is likely to be dropped from the front bench.
Others at risk include former deputy leader Ms Nora Owen, marine spokesman Mr Paul Connaughton, health spokesman Mr Gay Mitchell, and tourism spokesman Mr Bernard Allen. The front bench is expected to consist of Mr Noonan as party leader and Mr Jim Mitchell as deputy leader.
Those from the last front bench likely to be reappointed include Mr Richard Bruton, Mr Alan Dukes, Mr Enda Kenny, Mr Alan Shatter, Mr Michael Finucane, Mr Charles Flanagan, Mr Jim O'Keeffe, Ms Deirdre Clune and Ms Frances Fitzgerald.
Others who may be reappointed include Mr Jim Higgins, Mr Denis Naughten and Mr Brian Hayes.
Newcomers are expected to be chosen from among Mr Paul Bradford, Ms Olivia Mitchell, Mr Michael Creed and Mr Gerry Reynolds. Mr Simon Coveney is seen by some as a contender, but should his constituency colleague, Ms Deirdre Clune, be retained his elevation is unlikely.
Mr Noonan's new "cabinet" system of parliamentary opposition should ease the pain for some of those not included in the front-line team of spokespersons.
Each front bench member will have two deputies who will assist in the policy area covered by the senior person.
Ironically, Mr Noonan will unveil his team at a press conference this afternoon in Dublin's National Concert Hall. This was the venue chosen by Mr Bruton a few months ago to launch the party's ill-fated "Celtic Snail" publicity campaign.