Byrne returns to European Affairs role at crucial time
Meath East TD also appointed Minister of State for Defence
Meath East TD Thomas Byrne is returning to his role as Minister for European Affairs in today's announcement of ministers of state by the Taoiseach, Micháel Martin. He is also appointed junior minister in the Department of Defence.
Both positions will be highly pressurised in the coming years as the global geo-political situation intensifies, with a focus on the defence policies of the European Union now more than ever, particularly as Donald Trump takes power in the United States and the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine continue.
He will work closely with both the Taoiseach, and the Tanaiste, Simon Harris, who is Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence.
“I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence by the Taoiseach,” Deputy Byrne stated this evening.
“As the Taoiseach set out last week in the Dáil, a core priority for the Government will be to protect and strengthen Ireland’s position within the European Union.
“Next year, Ireland will take on the rotating EU Presidency. This provides a valuable opportunity for Ireland to promote positive actions across a range of social, economic, political and environmental fields. I am confident that Ireland’s Presidency will be defined by action and as European Affairs Minister, I look forward to joining my European counterparts in working to strengthen our Union.
Minister Byrne said he firmly believed that Ireland’s place is at the heart of Europe.
“As a Government Minister, I will continue to promote the interests and needs of the people of Meath East and ensure that vital services continue to be delivered. I greatly look forward to working with colleagues at the Department of Foreign & Trade, the Department of Defence and at the Department of An Taoiseach, in seeking to deepen our European partnerships and advance Ireland’s interests in the EU.
The Ministers of State appointed today are:
Mary Butler TD
Government Chief Whip and Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health
Hildegarde Naughton TD
Super Junior Minister of State with responsibility for Disability
Seán Canney TD
Super Junior Minister with responsibility for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports
Noel Grealish TD
Super Junior Minister with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research & Development
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
Michael Moynihan TD
Minister of State at the Department of Education with special responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion
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
Jerry Buttimer TD
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
John Cummins TD
Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Local Government and Planning
Christopher O'Sullivan TD
Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity
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
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