Martin to take on Foreign Affairs while Coveney moved to Enterprise and Employment
After Leo Maxwell Speaking Nominated Chamber The Picture: Taoiseach Photography/pa Wire As Being Varadkar In Dáil
Jack Chambers has emerged as the big loser in the Cabinet reshuffle having been handed an effective demotion from his position as Chief Whip.
Mr Chambers has swapped with Fine Gael’s Hildegarde Naughton and will be new junior minister for Transport.
But a highly popular chief whip, Mr Chambers was said to be “very disappointed” with his failure to make it into Cabinet or at least to retain a more substantial portfolio, even if he is still sitting at the Cabinet table.
New Tánaiste Micheál Martin has been appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar appoints his new Cabinet.
As had been expected, Mr Martin replaces Simon Coveney in Iveagh House with the Fine Gael minister from Cork South Central moving to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Outgoing Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe switches places with Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath.
However, as had been flagged, there were little or no other changes revealed by Mr Varadkar following discussions with Mr Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan.
Fianna Fáil ministers Darragh O’Brien (Housing), Norma Foley (Education), Stephen Donnelly (Health) and Charlie McConalogue (Agriculture) were all returned to their previous portfolios.
Similarly, Fine Gael ministers Helen McEntee, Heather Humphreys, Simon Harris are also remaining in their posts.
Mr Harris has also been delegated responsibility for the Department of Justice for the next six months while Helen McEntee is on maternity leave.
The Green Party ministers Eamon Ryan, Catherine Martin and Roderic O’Gorman remained unaffected by today’s changeover.
Senior Counsel Rossa Fanning has been appointed Attorney General, replacing Paul Gallagher.
In a surprising move, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced a new unit for his Department which he said will focus on child poverty and improving wellbeing.
In his speech in the Dáil, he said its the government’s vision to make Ireland the best country in Europe to be a child.
Mr Varadkar said the new unit will work closely with a number of Cabinet ministers including Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman.
However, the creation of the new unit has raised some eyebrows as a potential political move that Fine Gael can claim ownership of when childcare fees drop for families next year, a measure fought for by Mr O’Gorman in Budget negotiations.
The Government agreed a reduction of 25% in creche fees with the move meaning parents on average will save €1,200 per child per year, up to a maximum of €2,106.