Jimmy Deenihan's Term As Arts Minister Ends

The complexion of Enda Kenny's Cabinet changed this afternoon, as the Taoiseach – and the new Tánaiste Joan Burton – reshuffled the government deck.
The biggest news for those involved in the arts and music is that Jimmy Deenihan has stepped down as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, having held the position since March 2011. Deenihan, however, remains as a Junior Minister, at the Taoiseach's Department, where he will have responsibility for the Diaspora.
The Kerryman has been replaced as Minister for the Arts by former backbencher Heather Humphreys, TD for Cavan Monaghan, who is fast-tracked to the Fine Gael front bench.
Elsewhere, the former Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, has been chosen to take over the always high-profile – and inevitably difficult – position of Minister for Health.
Meanwhile, his predecessor, Dr James Reilly, will become the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
Varadker has been replaced as Minister for Transport by the Dublin Central TD, Paschal Donohoe, also of Fine Gael. Donohoe is relatively young for a Minister, at the age of 39.
Three long-time Labour stalwarts, Ministers Eamon Gilmore, Ruairi Quinn and Pat Rabbitte have also been replaced. Labour’s new full Ministers are Jan O’Sullivan (Education), Alex White (Communications) and new deputy leader Alan Kelly (Environment).
Overall, the average age of the ministers has been reduced, going from 59 in the last cabinet to an estimated 55.