European Affairs ministry stays in Meath East

The European Affairs portfolio is staying in Meath East as Deputy Thomas Byrne of Fianna Fail has been named Minister of State to replace his constituency colleague, Helen McEntee of Fine Gael, who was appointed Minister for Justice at the weekend.

The FF deputy, who was part of the team negotiation the Programme for Government, was disappointed not to get a senior ministry earlier in the week.

Yesterday, Fine Gael’s former education minister, Joe McHugh, declined a junior ministry when he couldn’t have the European Affairs portfolio, which was in the Fianna Fail consignment.

Last night, Deputy Byrne posted: "I'm absolutely delighted to be appointed by the Taoiseach and the cabinet to be Minister of State for European Affairs at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs. Thanks for all your lovely well wishes since the weekend. I will continue to represent my constituents of Meath East and, now, my country, to the best of my ability."

In Meath West, Fine Gael’s Damien English retains a junior ministry and is now assigned the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for Employment Affairs and Retail Businesses.

This morning, he posted: "First day as Minister of State at the new Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I am joining Tánaiste Leo Varadkar to work for our communities and country as people continue to emerge from COVID-19. We will push the agenda for recovery - back into employment and back opening business. Thanks so much for your messages of support since my appointment last night and since the election."

The full list of junior ministers is:

•Dara Calleary, FF, Mayo: Government Chief Whip, has also been assigned to Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht with responsibility for the Gaeltacht and Sport.

•Thomas Byrne, FF, Meath East: Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for EU Affairs.

•Patrick O'Donovan, FG, Limerick: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with responsibility for the Office of Public Works.

•Ossian Smyth, GP, Dún Laoghaire: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with responsibility for Public Procurement and eGovernment.

•Jack Chambers, FF, Dublin West: Department of Finance with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance.

•Josepha Madigan, FG, Dublin Rathdown: Department of Education and Skills with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion.

•Martin Heydon, FG, Kildare South: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Research & Development/ Farm Safety/ New Market Development.

•Anne Rabbitte, FF, Galway East: Department of Children, Disability, Equality and Integration with responsibility for Disability.

•Colm Brophy, FG, Dublin South-West: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora.

•Charlie McConalogue, FF, Donegal: Department of Justice and Equality with responsibility for Law Reform

•Joe O'Brien, GP, Dublin Fingal: Department of Rural and Community Development with responsibility for Community Development and Charities.

•Peter Burke, FG, Longford–Westmeath: Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government with responsibility for Local Government and Planning.

•Malcolm Noonan, GP, Carlow-Kilkenny: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform.

•Robert Troy, FF, Longford–Westmeath: Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for Trade Promotion.

•Damien English, FG, Meath West: Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for Employment Affairs and Retail Businesses.

•Mary Butler, FF, Waterford: Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People.

•Frank Feighan, FG, Sligo, Leitrim, South Donegal & North Roscommon: Department of Health with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy.

•Niall Collins, FF, Limerick County: Department of Higher Education, Innovation and Science with responsibility for Skills and Further Education.

The Government previously appointed Senator Pippa Hackett to be Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Hildegarde Naughton to be Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Pictured: Junior Minister Damien English (right) with Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Coveney