Press release
Government appoints Ministers of State
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
The government, upon the nomination of the Taoiseach, has formally appointed Ministers of State and assigned their responsibilities.
Speaking this evening, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:
“I want to wish all the Ministers of State every success in their new roles in helping Government deliver on our commitments, responding to challenges, and moving Ireland forward in the years ahead.
“This will be a government determined to deliver on the economy, housing, disability, infrastructure, and public services, as well as maintaining Ireland’s strong voice on the world stage.
“We are very conscious of the work ahead and I have every confidence in our team of Ministers from across the two government parties and independents."
Tánaiste Simon Harris said:
“I am delighted that we have today announced the new Ministers of State, who will play a key part across all government departments in delivering on the agenda set out in the Programme for Government and responding to the challenges we face.
“I wish them every success in their new roles, and I am looking forward to working with them and the rest of government to deliver for the country, whilst addressing the issues affecting people in their everyday lives.
“In the period ahead we will be ambitious and work to make significant progress in addressing the critical social, economic, political, demographic and environmental challenges of our time."
The appointments comprise:
Thomas Byrne TD
Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for European Affairs and at the Department of Defence
Michael Moynihan TD
Minister of State at the Department of Education with special responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion
Charlie McConalogue TD
Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media with Special Responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy
Kevin Boxer Moran TD
Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform with responsibility for the Office of Public Works
Emer Higgins TD
Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform with special responsibility for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment
Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD
Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy
Michael Healy-Rae TD
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture
Neale Richmond TD
Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora
Jerry Buttimer TD
Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, with special responsibility for Community Development, Charities, Gaeltacht and the Islands and the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport
John Cummins TD
Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Local Government and Planning
Christopher O’Sullivan TD
Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity
Kieran O’Donnell TD
Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Older People and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Housing
Robert Troy TD
Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance
Niall Collins TD
Minister of State at the Department of Justice with special responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice
Niamh Smyth TD
Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation
Alan Dillon TD
Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Small Businesses and Retail and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for Circular Economy
The government noted the intention, subject to the necessary amendments being made to the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1977 to nominate the following persons to be appointed as Ministers of State:
Timmy Dooley TD
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Fisheries and at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for the Marine
Colm Brophy TD
Minister of State at the Department of Justice with special responsibility for Migration
Marian Harkin TD
Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills