sentences:  Following the resignation of Bertie Ahern as Taoiseach, Brian Cowen was approved by the Dáil as Taoiseach and appointed by the president on 7 May 2008.On that day, he announced that he would appoint Pat Carey, Barry Andrews, Trevor Sargent, and Dick Roche as Ministers of State.On 13 May 2008, Cowen announced the appointment of 16 further Ministers of State.