Taoiseach Brian Cowen has announced that the
next Irish general election will be held on 11 March.
During an address to the Dáil, Mr Cowen also announced the
replacements for the five Cabinet Ministers who resigned in
the last 24 hours, throwing the Government into turmoil.
Mary Harney from health, Dermot Ahern from justice, Noel
Dempsey from transport, Tony Killeen from defence, and Batt
O'Keeffe from enterprise all quit on the back of the
resignation of Micheal Martin from foreign affairs after a
failed leadership challenge.
"We are all aware of the immense challenges that each member
of this administration has faced, in charting a way through
some of the most difficult economic times since the
foundation of the state", Mr Cowen told TDs.
No Green TD attended the Dáil chamber for the statement.
Green leader John Gormley later revealed he had warned Mr
Cowen that the party would not vote for unilateral changes,
following the resignations.
Mr Gormley said he believed the public would not stand for
new ministers being appointed with the Government in its
dying days.
He added: "I have to tell you that there were other
ministers from the Fianna Fáil party who thought it was not
a good idea."
Mr Gormley revealed that he was not notified of the
announcement late on Thursday night of five ministerial
resignations.
Mr Cowen said the coalition Government would continue in
power until the Finance Bill, giving effect to Budget 2011,
and other important legislation is passed.
Mr Cowen said: "I believe it is important in the weeks ahead
that the Government gives legislative effect to the Budget
through the enactment of the Finance Bill and other related
Bills which benefit the people."
"There's nothing more important than doing precisely that."
Tanaiste (deputy PM) Mary Coughlan, already in charge of
education, will take on health, Agriculture Minister Brendan
Smith takes on justice, Social Protection Minister Eamon O
Cuiv has been given the defence brief, and Pat Carey,
Minister for Gaeltacht, Community and Rural Affairs, has
control of transport.
Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin, who voted against Mr Cowen
remaining leader of the ruling Fianna Fáil party in this
week's leadership heave, has been asked to take the
Enterprise portfolio.
Mr Cowen retains control of the foreign affairs brief.
Leader of the main Opposition party Fine Gael, Enda Kenny,
depicted the Taoiseach and Green Party leader as Laurel and
Hardy.
"It's another fine mess we have gotten ourselves into," Mr
Kenny said.
"The position that no new minister has been appointed
obviously is a case of desperation by the Government of
being afraid of putting that to a vote in the house."
"And the fact the Greens are not represented in the chamber
on this date speaks for itself."
Mr Kenny said the Government was also unable to fill its own
frontbench during the announcement despite more than 20
ministers and former ministers on the backbenches.
"It's almost one for everyone in the audience," he said.
There were rowdy scenes before the announcement in the Irish
parliament.
Mr Kenny demanded the proceedings be suspended until the
Taoiseach explains what is happening in Government.
"This is the worst government in history," Mr Kenny said.
"This would not have happened even in the days of great
dictators. It is unprecedented, what you have done."
He added: "These are the last days of the worst government
in the history of the state."
Mr Kenny accused the Taoiseach of a "cowardly, disgraceful
act" and that he was "refusing to come in here today to tell
the people of his country what is happening with a
Government that has imploded, with a Government that is
dysfunctional, that has disintegrated, and that had let our
people down".