THERE was bad news for North Kerry/ West Limerick Deputy Jimmy Deenihan this afternoon, when it was announced that  has lost his position as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in the cabinet reshuffle.

Instead he has been moved to Minister for State at the Department of the Taoiseach and Gaeltacht with special responsibility for the diaspora.

Fine Gael’s Heather Humphries is newly promoted to Arts and Heritage post.

A number of other changes were announced including Leo Varadkar replacing James O’Reilly for the Health portfolio with Reilly moving to the Department of Children.

Labour’s Alex White is the new Communications Minister with new Deputy leader of Labour Alan Kelly taking up Environment. Limerick Deputy Jan O’Sullivan moves on to Education.

Labour’s Pat Rabbitte loses his  Cabinet position and Phil Hogan has been announced as Ireland’s next EU Commissioner.

Fine Gael’sPaschal Donohue moves up to Transport, Tourism and Sport, Charlie Flanagan is the new Foreign Affairs Minister and Simon Coveney takes Defence as well as Agriculture.

Paul Kehoe continues as Minister of State at the Department of Defence and Government Chief Whip.