Ahern stays with experience

Ahern resisted the opportunity to have a wide-ranging reshuffle

DUBLIN, Republic of Ireland -- Ireland woke up on Friday to a new Bertie Ahern government which included few surprise choices.

Prime Minister Ahern had been expected to use the opportunity of starting a second term in office to include a number of younger faces.

In the event Ahern, defied the forecasts by backing experience and leaving many of his colleagues in place.

Only four senior ministers lost their jobs -- education department head Michael Woods, arts and heritage department chief Sile de Valera, a granddaughter of former prime minister and president Eamon de Valera, Frank Fahey, of the marine and defence ministry, and Dr Jim McDaid, tourism and sport.

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Another familiar government figure, Mary O'Rourke, lost her seat in the election, which saw gains for the Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrats coalition, after a peacetime record full five-year term of office.

The historic de Valera family link with Irish governments was not ended, though, as Ms de Valera was replaced by her cousin Eamon O Cuiv, also a grandchild of the ex-head of state.

Among those to keep their posts were Foreign Minister Brian Cowen, apart from Ahern the Irish cabinet figure mostly closely involved in the Northern Ireland peace process, and Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy, who presided over the rise and subsequent relative downturn of Ireland's Celtic Tiger economic boom.

In line with the programme of government worked out with deputy premier Mary Harney, Ahern gave two cabinet posts to her Progressive Democrats party, who will also get two more positions when the junior ministries are shared out next week.

One of the PD ministers will be Harney, the other former Attorney General Michael McDowell, who is to take over the justice portfolio.

The full front-rank government list announced by Ahern was:

Taoiseach (Prime Minister) -- Bertie Ahern, 51;

Tanaiste (deputy prime minister), and Enterprise, Trade and Employment -- Mary Harney, 49;

Foreign Affairs -- Brian Cowen, 32;

Finance -- Charlie Mcreevy, 52;

Defence -- Michael Smith 61;

Justice -- Michael McDowell, 51;

Agriculture -- Joe Walsh, 59;

Education and Science -- Noel Dempsey, 49;

Communications and Natural Resources -- Dermot Ahern, 47;

Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs -- Eamon O Cuiv, 52;

Health -- Micheal Martin, 41;

Transport -- Seamus Brennan, 54;

Environment and Local Government -- Michael Cullen, 47;

Arts, Sport and Tourism -- John O'Donoghue, 46;

Social, Community and Family Affairs -- Mary Coughlan, 38;

The Chief Whip will be Mary Hanafin, and the Attorney General, Rory Brady, a senior counsel member of the Irish bar.

Earlier, former cabinet minister Dr Rory O'Hanlon -- the father of TV's Father Ted star Ardal O'Hanlon -- was chosen as Ceann Comhairle (Speaker) of the new parliament.