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Taoiseach Micheál Martin announces new Cabinet ministers

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed his Cabinet nominations. The ministerial roles have been ...
Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

18.54 27 Jun 2020


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Taoiseach Micheál Martin annou...

Taoiseach Micheál Martin announces new Cabinet ministers

Stephen McNeice
Stephen McNeice

18.54 27 Jun 2020


Share this article


Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed his Cabinet nominations.

The ministerial roles have been split across Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens, with the leaders of the three coalition parties agreeing to the appointments.

Leo Varadkar will serve as Tánaiste, while Eamon Ryan will head a new Climate Action, Communications Networks and Transport department.

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Members of the new Cabinet travelled from Government Buildings to the Convention Centre Dublin, where the full Dáil is sitting today to allow for social distancing.

Fine Gael's Helen McEntee has enjoyed a big promotion - becoming Justice Minister after a term as Minister of State for European Affairs.

Former senior ministers Richard Bruton, Michael Creed, Charlie Flanagan and Michael Ring are among those now heading to the backbenches.

Here's the full list of new ministers:

  • Taoiseach: Micheál Martin (FF)
  • Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Leo Varadkar (FG)
  • Minister for Climate Action, Communications Networks and Transport: Eamon Ryan (Greens)
  • Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence: Simon Coveney (FG)
  • Minister for Finance: Paschal Donohoe (FG)
  • Minister for Justice: Helen McEntee (FG)
  • Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform: Michael McGrath (FF)
  • Minister for Health: Stephen Donnelly (FF)
  • Minister for Higher Education, Innovation and Science: Simon Harris (FG)
  • Minister for Social Protection, Community and Rural Development, and the Islands: Heather Humphreys (FG)
  • Minister for Education: Norma Foley (FF)
  • Minister for Agriculture and Marine: Barry Cowen (FF)
  • Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Darragh O'Brien (FF)
  • Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sports and the Gaeltacht: Catherine Martin (Greens)
  • Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration: Roderic O'Gorman (Greens)
  • Attorney General: Paul Gallagher (FF)
  • Chief Whip: Dara Calleary (FF)

Simon Coveney and Paschal Donohoe keep their existing ministerial roles.

Two first-time TDs have secured seats at the Cabinet table: Fianna Fáil's Norma Foley and the Greens' Roderic O'Gorman.

Fine Gael's Hildegarde Naughten and Green Party Senator Pippa Hackett will sit at Cabinet as super junior ministers.

Fianna Fáil's deputy leader Dara Calleary misses out on a senior ministry, but will sit at Cabinet as Chief Whip.

Paul Gallagher has been re-appointed Attorney General, having previously served in the role between 2007 and 2011.

However, the role is to be rotated among the government partners over the course of the next five years.

The new ministers will travel to Dublin Castle to receive their seals of office, and will also hold their first Cabinet meeting there.

'No time for quietly settling in'

Taoiseach Micheál Martin says the Goverment's first priority is to continue the fight against COVID-19, and moving to recover from its social, economic and cultural impact.

He said they will prepare an investment led job and recovery initiative, which will be brought to the Dáil next month.

He told deputies: "There's no time for quietly settling in - every minister has a substantial role to play.

"The challenges we must overcome are both immediate and in many cases long-standing. They can only be met and overcome if we work together across our responsibilities."

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, meanwhile, said he and the other ministers take up office in challenging circumstances.

However, he suggested he is confident they can rise to the occasion.

The Fine Gael leader said: "Over the past few months, when things were at their worst, we saw our country and its people at their best.

"We face massive challenges, but today is a day of new beginnings - and therefore is one of hope for the future."

Main image via Oireachtas TV

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