The Taoiseach will today change Ministers in the majority of Departments including Finance and Foreign Affairs as he tries to refresh the Government's image and performance before the next general election.
Mr Ahern will announce his long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle in the Dáil this afternoon, putting an end to months of speculation and uncertainty among Ministers. Last night it appeared that most Ministers and Cabinet hopefuls had not been told what positions they will hold by this evening.
Mr Brian Cowen is seen as certain to become Minister for Finance, to replace Mr Charlie McCreevy who has been appointed as European Commissioner. The Tánaiste, Ms Harney, is expected to take up the health portfolio.
Mr McCreevy's departure, the announced retirement of the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, and the expected dropping of the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, pave the way for three new appointments to Cabinet.
While the Taoiseach has kept his intentions secret, the speculation in Government circles suggests that the Chief Whip, Ms Mary Hanafin, and the Ministers of State, Mr Willie O'Dea and Mr Dick Roche, are likely to be promoted.
The Dáil will debate the proposed new Cabinet for four hours this afternoon. After a vote at 7 p.m. the new Ministers and those switching portfolios will travel to Áras an Uachtaráin to be presented with their seals of office by the President.
They will then have a short Cabinet meeting at which they are likely to appoint the new chief whip and ministers of State. These are appointed by the Government, and not the Taoiseach. Mr Ahern is expected to announce his changed team of junior ministers in the Dáil tomorrow morning.
The Labour Party Chief Whip, Mr Emmet Stagg, said yesterday that the long wait for the reshuffle to be announced had brought "political paralysis" to the Cabinet.
"It appears that Ministers have been so afraid of jeopardising their chances of promotion or even holding on to Cabinet positions that any potentially controversial decisions have been postponed," he said.
The fact that just 14 pieces of legislation were planned for the Dáil session between now and Christmas was proof of this, he added.
The Green Party finance spokesman, Mr Dan Boyle, also said the relatively short list of planned legislation showed the Government had "run out of steam".
Sinn Féin's leader in the Dáil, Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, said the Government was trying to change its image "because of the rise of Sinn Féin". But there should be real policy change, not just a change of image from Government.
He also claimed there would be "alarm" in the health services if Ms Harney became Minister.