Fine Gael leader Simon Harris Elected Taoiseach

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Tuesday the 9^th of April: Following the election (88 votes to 69) by Dáil Éireann of Simon Harris (Wicklow) as the country’s 16^th and youngest ever (37) Taoiseach, he immediately moved to reshuffle a number of his party’s (Fine Gael) senior ministers.

Two Ministers of State promoted to full ministerial rank:  

‍Peter Burke (Longford - Westmeath) is the new Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, (replacing Simon Coveney who had previously announced he would not be returning to Cabinet after the Easter recess).

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County) is the new Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, (a post previously held by Mr Harris).

The rest of the Cabinet roles are unchanged:

Micheál Martin Fianna Fáil leader is Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence. 

‍Eamon Ryan Green Party leader is Minister for Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport.

Helen McEntee (FG) Minister for Justice.‍

Paschal Donohoe (FG) Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

Heather Humphreys (FG) Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development (She was appointed Fine Gael Deputy Leader).

Stephen Donnelly (FF) Minister for Health.

Roderic O’Gorman (Greens) Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Charlie McConalogue (FF) Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Norma Foley (FF) Minister for Education.

Michael McGrath (FF) Minister for Finance.

Darragh O’Brien (FF) Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Catherine Martin (Greens) Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Ministers of State in attendance at Government meetings:

Hildegarde Naughton (FG) remains as Government Chief Whip but is given the additional role of Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education & Inclusion at the Department of Education.

Jack Chambers (FF) Minister for International and Road Transport and Logistics at the Department of Transport, as well as Minister of State for postal policy at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

Pippa Hackett Senator (Greens) Minister of State for land use and biodiversity at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

On Wednesday 10^th April, the Taoiseach announced the appointment of three new Ministers of State:

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid-West) - Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Employment Affairs and Retail Business) and Department of Social Protection.

Alan Dillon (Mayo) - Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Local Government and Planning).

Colm Burke (Cork North Central) – Department of Health (Public Health and Drugs Strategy).

Change of Minister of State roles:

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (FG) is now the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence (she was previously Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance).

Neale Richmond (FG) - Department of Finance, Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance (he was previously in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Employment Affairs and Retail Business) and Department of Social Protection.

Kieran O’Donnell (FG) - Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (OPW) – (he previously was in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Local Government and Planning)).

The rest of the Minister of State roles are unchanged:

Ossian Smyth (Greens) - Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Public Procurement and eGovernment) and Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (Communications and Circular Economy).

Martin Heydon (FG) - Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Research and Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development).

Anne Rabbitte (FF) - Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Disability).

Séan Fleming (FF) - Department of Foreign Affairs (International Development and Diaspora).

Joe O'Brien (Greens) - Department of Rural and Community Development and Department of Social Protection (Community Development and Charities) and Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Integration).

Malcolm Noonan (Greens) - Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Heritage and Electoral Reform).‍

Mary Butler (FF) - Department of Health (Mental Health and Older People).‍

Thomas Byrne (FF) Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Gaeltacht, Sport and Physical Education).

Niall Collins (FF) - Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Skills and Further Education).

James Browne (FF) - Department of Justice (Law Reform and Youth Justice).

Dara Calleary (FF) - Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Trade Promotion and Digital Transformation).

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