Leo Varadkar makes his first cabinet appointments

Having been confirmed earlier today as Ireland's youngest ever Taoiseach, Leo Varadker has pieced together his cabinet.
His rival for the top job, Simon Coveney, has been appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs. He replaces Charlie Flanagan who, as the new Justice Minister, will no longer be working directly on Ireland's Brexit strategy.
Remaining as Minister For Health is Simon Harris, who may have had a bumpy ride these past few months with the new National Maternity Hospital management and Ava Twomey medicinal marijuana controversies, but is popular with those advocating drug harm reduction.
"He's pushed the first supervised injecting room through and, like Leo Varadkar, appears to be willing to consider a move towards a Portuguese 'treat rather than punish' model," Hot Press' Stuart Clark says. "Talking to several doctors and drug workers this evening, they seem to be pleased he's staying put."
Also being reappointed as Arts Minister – in a role restyled as Minister for Culture – is Heather Humphreys, who promptly tweeted her delight.
The man who led the Taoiseach's Fine Gael leadership election campaign, Eoghan Murphy, has been appointed Housing Minister, with Paschal Donohoe presiding over the newly combined Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform departments. Needless to say, this is a very big brief indeed...
Frances Fitzgerald remains as Tánaiste, whilst also shifting from the Department of Justice to become Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Employment. While Charlie Flanagan's position on policing matters remains to be seen, there is considerable hope that he might abandon the current, highly prejudiced, plans to introduce the sexist and pseudo-morally driven 'Swedish model' in relation to prostitution.
Meanwhile, Mayo TD Michael Ring has been appointed Minister for Rural and Community Affairs – a portfolio that has been lifted out of what had been dubbed the Frankenstein department by arts activists.
Another big winner is former Chief Whip, Regina Doherty, who has been made Minister for Employment and Social Protection; meanwhile, Michael Creed has been appointed Minister for Agriculture.
Joe McHugh remains as a Junior Minister in the Dpartment of Culture, with responsibility for Gaeilge, the Gaeltacht and the islands. He has also been announced as the new Fine Gael Chief Whip.
All of the independents remain in their previously appointed Ministries. If there is a big loser, in addition of course to Enda Kenny and Michael Noonan, it is Mary Mitchell O'Connor, who is now a Junior Minister at the Department of Education, with responsibility for Higher Education.