Cabinet reshuffle is first on agenda for new FG boss
FINE Gael TDS Peter Burke and Patrick O’donovan were the two big winners in the Cabinet reshuffle announced by new Taoiseach Simon Harris.
Peter Burke was appointed Minister for Enterprise, a position which was recently vacated by Simon Coveney.
Mr Harris gave his former role of Minister for Further Education to Patrick O’donovan, in a promotion for the Limerick TD who held the position of Minister of State for the Office of Public Works.
While there had been speculation Hildegarde Naughton may have been promoted from her junior minister role directly to a Cabinet post, no such change was announced.
Instead, Ms Naughton will take on the role as Minister of State for Special Education and leave her post as junior minister at the Department of Health.
She also retained her position as Government chief whip, which already sees her sitting at Cabinet as a so-called super junior.
The role as Minister of
State for Special Education was left vacant after Josepha Madigan said last month she was resigning and would not contest the next election. Mr Burke’s promotion left his junior non-cabinet role of Minister of State for European Affairs vacant but Mr Harris announced it would be filled by Jennifer Carroll Macneill, who had been a Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services.
Helen Mcentee retained her justice portfolio amid much speculation on her role, as Mr Harris set out an ambition to refocus his party on “law and order”.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys also held on to their positions.
Further changes to junior minister of state roles will be announced today with speculation focused on potential roles for Fine Gael TDS Alan Dillon, Neale Richmond, Emer Higgins and Colm Burke.
Ms Carroll Macneill’s role as junior minister at the Department of Finance as well as Mr O’donovan’s former role as minister of state for the OPW remain up for grabs.
Ms Naughten’s former role as Minister of State for Public Health is also now vacant.
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