Ministers of State of the 30th Dáil 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. Ministers of State of the 30th Dáil 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
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Ireland) 320 of which were posted overseas. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Ireland) The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFA/DFAT) () is a department of the Government of Ireland that is responsible for promoting the interests of Ireland in the European Union and the wider world. The head of the Department is the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade who is assisted by two Ministers of State. The position of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is traditionally regarded as one of the most prestigious appointments in the Government of Ireland, below that of Taoiseach and Minister for Finance.