Health Minister Mary Harney, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey, and Defense Minister Tony Killeen handed in their resignations late Wednesday.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O'Keefe, stepped down from his position early Thursday morning.
On Wednesday, Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin quit after his unsuccessful attempt to oust Prime Minister Brian Cowen.
This is the latest upheaval in Ireland's politics, while it faces economic problems.
According to reports, the former ministers announced that they did not intend to participate in the forthcoming elections, and that new ministers would be appointed in the coming days.
Cowen, faced with a general election this spring, is expected to name a new cabinet.
The Irish premier has won a secret confidence vote, after some of his party members demanded his resignation.
Support for his government has plunged since he negotiated an international rescue for the debt-ridden economy last year.
SZH/MSD/ZHD/AKM
Friday, 21 January 2011
More Irish ministers resign
Ireland's Prime Minister Brian Cowen
Five cabinet ministers of the Republic of Ireland have quit their posts a day after the Irish foreign minister tendered his resignation.
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