Three Cork TDs appointed junior ministers in new government Cabinet

Three Cork TD were this afternoon formally appointed as Ministers of State in the newly formed government. 

Cork North-West Fianna Fáil TD Michael Moynihan has been appointed Minister of State at the Department of Education with special responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion. 

Cork South-Central Fine Gael TD Jerry Buttimer has been appointed 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. 

Cork South-West Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O'Sullivan has been appointed  Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity. 

Speaking at the announcement of the appointments, taoiseach Micheál Martin wished all of the new junior ministers "every success in their new roles in helping Government deliver on our commitments, responding to challenges, and moving Ireland forward in the years ahead.
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"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," said Mr Martin.

"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," he added. 

While three Cork TDs were elevated to junior ministers, Cork North Central Fine Gael TD Colm Burke, who served as Minister for State at the Department of Health in the last government, has failed to retain his position.

Other appointments:

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.

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.   

John Cummins TD, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Local Government and Planning.

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.

More to follow.......