Cork Councillors: Donohoe’s departure ‘a huge loss to the country’ 

Tánaiste Simon Harris has taken over as minister for finance, filling the vacancy left by Paschal Donohoe, who has resigned from Government to take up the second-most senior role with the World Bank. Mr Donohoe will resign from the Dáil later this week.

Since 2016, Mr Donohoe has alternated between ministries in the departments of public expenditure and finance.

Helen McEntee will take over in foreign affairs and defence, while Hildegard Naughton will succeed her in education.

Mr Donohoe’s departure from the Department of Finance has been described by his Fine Gael colleagues in Cork as “a huge loss to the country”.

His departure will spark a byelection, which must occur within six months.

Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central and minister for state, Jerry Buttimer, said Mr Donohoe’s appointment to the World Bank showed the esteem in which he was held internationally.

“He has shown himself to be a man of intellect, steady hand, calm voice, and somebody who has been admired across the political divide and across the world,” Mr Buttimer said.

“We started together as councillors and we served in the Seanad and the Dáil, and he’s been an exceptional minister and a good friend.”

Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, Colm Burke, said Mr Donohoe had brought the country’s finances from a position of great difficulty to a point of prosperity.

“He has made a huge contribution in stabilising the Irish economy and managing the finances of the State,” he said.

Fine Gael councillor for Cork City North-West, Damian Boylan, said: “Twenty years is a long time to be a public representative, and he has done the State some service.

“He’s been a brilliant minister, and he’ll be a huge loss to the country.”

Fine Gael county councillor for Carrigaline, Úna McCarthy, said Mr Donohoe’s departure was a huge development.

“It’s a bit of a shock to hear that he’s leaving politics, he’ll be a significant loss to the country, but on a personal level I’m delighted for him,” she said.

“It’s a wonderful achievement, and a well-deserved accolade that shows that he’s held in such high esteem on a world level.

“I wish him all the best for the future. He was always very pleasant to deal with, always very approachable, especially as a new councillor, and I’m sure he’ll thrive in his next chapter.”

Her fellow councillor, Jack White, said Mr Donohoe had been very encouraging.

“Paschal was always extremely supportive of county councillors, in a world where not all ministers are, and that was always very appreciated by us,” he said.

Paying tribute to the Dublin Central TD, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Mr Donohoe’s election to three terms as president of the Eurogroup of finance ministers showed the “deep esteem” in which he was held across Europe.