President Connolly appoints first minister to Government

By Bairbre Holmes, PA

President Catherine Connolly has appointed her first government minister, a week on from her inauguration.

She presented Hildegarde Naughton with a ministerial seal of office at Áras an Uachtaráin on Tuesday afternoon.

Ms Naughton was named Minister for Education and Youth following a cabinet reshuffle in the wake of the resignation of Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe.

After she arrived at the Aras in Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ms Naughton was greeted by the Secretary General to the President and escorted to the State Reception Room.

Shortly afterwards, President Catherine Connolly signed the warrant of appointment and presented her with the seal of office.

She was then congratulated by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the President.