On 14 June 2007, the 27th Government of Ireland was elected by Dáil Éireann following nomination by the Taoiseach, and then appointed by the President. The Fianna Fáil–Green Party–Progressive Democrats coalition was led by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
On that day Ahern announced to the Dáil that he had re-appointed Tom Kitt, TD to the post of Minister for State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Defence. Dick Roche, TD was appointed on the same date to the position of Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, with special responsibility for European Affairs. On 20 June 2007, the Taoiseach announced that the Government had appointed the other Ministers of State. The number of Ministers of State was increased from 17 to 20 following the enactment of enabling legislation by the Oireachtas. In Dáil Éireann on 26 June 2007 the Taoiseach informed the house the ministries to which the government had appointed the Ministers of State. On 22 April 2009, the Taoiseach Brian Cowen reduced the number of Ministers of State from 20 to 15.
Change of Taoiseach
The 28th Government of Ireland was formed following the resignation of Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach on 6 May 2008 and the subsequent appointment of Brian Cowen as Taoiseach on 7 May 2008.