Leo Varadkar's new appointments are noteworthy for a few reasons.
They see a steady hand in charge of broadband, a concentration on the west of Ireland, the promotion of an independent voice, and no women.
Richard Bruton’s appointment to the Department of Communications comes after the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he would make the national broadband plan a "personal crusade".
The resignation of Denis Naughten has thrown the plan into doubt, and while Mr Bruton is a trusted and experienced politician, he faces a difficult job to repair the damage done to the plan following the departure of Mr Naughten.
His first task will be to get the plan back on track.
The appointment of Joe McHugh to the Education portfolio and the elevation of Sean Kyne to the position of Chief Whip were flagged by Government sources in recent days.
Mr McHugh, a former geography teacher, found a route to senior office by being a diligent and loyal Chief Whip.
Both are politicians with an insight into life in rural Ireland, and Sean Kyne’s promotion gives Galway a seat at the cabinet table for the first time since 2011.
The mark of the Independent Alliance is also visible in today’s announcement.
They indicated their wish to see an independent voice reflected in today’s announcements, although this has not happened at senior ministerial level.
Sean Canney left the Independent Alliance in a dispute over the allocation of a junior ministerial portfolio, but he has been rewarded today for committing to support the Government.
Once again the losers today are women TDs.
Leo Varadkar could have chosen to reappoint Frances Fitzgerald to cabinet after she was exonerated in the Disclosures Tribunal report this week.
He could also have promoted Hildegarde Naughton who chairs the communications committee and is respected by colleagues.
He did neither.
At a time of crisis he chose the path of least resistance.
