Who’s who in the new cabinet

Minister for health: Simon Harris
The youngest member of the cabinet at 30, Mr Harris’s promotion to such an important brief will be a chance to stake his claim for a senior role in the party before Mr Kenny leaves office.

He has been a good soldier throughout the election, being sent out to face the press during several tricky moments.

Minister for social protection: Leo Varadkar
Mr Varadkar has been removed from his post as health minister, which he had held since 2014, to become minister for social protection.

The 37-year-old has aspirations of leadership and his redeployment in a less prestigious role may be seen as a move to keep him in line.

Minister for education and skills: Richard Bruton
Mr Bruton, 63, replaces Jan O’Sullivan as education minister. The Dublin North Central Fine Gael TD leaves his post as minister for jobs, enterprise and innovation, which he has held since 2011.

A former economist, he will need to face down disgruntled unions demanding pay restoration and a looming strike over Junior Cert reform.

Minister for housing, planning and local government: Simon Coveney
Stepping aside from his dual role in agriculture and defence, Mr Coveney, 40, will nonetheless have a heavy load to bear in the coming months. Alan Kelly, the former environment minister who had responsibilty for housing, said that the new cabinet position would be useless without some control of taxation and rent supplements.

Along with Ms Fitzgerald and Mr Varadkar, Mr Coveney has higher aspirations and will need to handle his brief well if he is to fulfil them.

Minister for public expenditure and reform: Paschal Donohoe
Despite leaving the transport department, Mr Donohoe, 41, has not escaped the industrial dispute crisis in the sector. Mounting calls from unions across the public sector for pay restoration will be dealt with by a special commission, which will ultimately report to the minister.

Minister for foreign affairs and trade: Charlie Flanagan
A steady and experienced hand, Mr Flanagan, 59, retains his position, which he has held since 2014.

In the coming months it may prove to be a crucial role, as he will have to deal with a potential British exit from the EU, as well as Ireland’s response to the continuing migrant crisis.

Minister for regional development, rural affairs, arts and the gaeltacht: Heather Humphreys
Ms Humphreys has retained her position, although her title has changed from minister for arts, heritage and the gaeltacht.

The Cavan-Monaghan TD was first elected in 2011 and raised eyebrows when she was given the gaeltacht briefing as she did not speak Irish. She played a prominent role in the 1916 centenary celebrations this year.

Minister for jobs, enterprise and innovation: Mary Mitchell O’Connor
An unexpected appointment, Ms Mitchell O’Connor, 56, has been given what has been seen as the “good news” portfolio over the past few years. The quarterly Action Plan for Jobs announcements have been a regular opportunity to play up the economic recovery.

Minister for agriculture, food and the marine: Michael Creed
A champion of rural Ireland and agriculture, Mr Creed, 52, will be a strong voice for farmers in the wake of the Irish Farmers’ Association pay scandal. He has previously held positions in ariculture, fisheries and food; health; youth and sport; and education, arts, culture and the gaeltacht.

Minister for transport, tourism and sport: Shane Ross
Mr Ross, 66, was the first minister to be announced, even if the words did come from his own mouth. The independent Dublin South TD may have to hold his tongue when dealing with transport unions, who are calling for immediate action to solve a string of looming disputes.

Minister for communications, climate change and natural resources: Denis Naughten
An early advocate for rural broadband, Mr Naughten, 42, has said there is better internet access on the Moon than in some areas of Roscommon.

More earthly concerns will include the expansion of a micro-enterprise hub pilot scheme that the former Fine Gael TD, now an independent, helped to launch.

His attitude to climate change and natural resources would not be considered progressive by some. He has sided with turf-cutters and farmers against environmentalists in the past five years.

Minister for children and youth affairs: Katherine Zappone
Tipped to be education minister, Ms Zappone, 62 has been given a less prominent but perhaps equally challenging position in children and youth affairs. Appointed a senator by the taoiseach in 2011, she was a prominent Yes campaigner during the same-sex marriage referendum and has been a champion of equality and access to state services.

Super-junior who will attend cabinet with special responsibility for disability: Finian McGrath
A long-time campaigner on health and disability issues, Mr McGrath, 63, was part of the 2007 Fianna Fail-led government in return for a deal on mental health and disability services.

As a super-junior minister he will sit at cabinet without the power to vote. Mr McGrath will start on the front foot, having already secured a new cystic fibrosis unit for Beaumont Hospital.

Minister of state with special responsibility for defence: Paul Kehoe
Retaining his position, Enda Kenny’s most loyal deputy, 43, will probably enjoy a higher profile in the coming Dail, as the taoiseach may delegate much of the brief to him.

Chief whip: Regina Doherty
The Meath East TD, 45, is a member of several committees, including the Convention on the Constitution and the Dail reform committee.