Government of the 30th Dáil later rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party in April 2008. Ministers are listed in order of seniority. The 28th Government of Ireland (7 May 2008 – 9 March 2011) was formed following the resignation of Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach on 6 May 2008 and the subsequent election of Brian Cowen as Ireland's 12th head of government. It was initially composed of Fianna Fáil, the Green Party, the Progressive Democrats and supported by independent TDs Jackie Healy-Rae, Michael Lowry and Finian McGrath. McGrath later withdrew his support in October 2008. Following the disbandment of the Progressive Democrats in 2009, it became
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.