The Daily Star Ireland
Anticipation is growing within Leinster House as the Cabinet prepares to meet this afternoon, where the selection of new ministers of state will be officially announced. With speculation mounting, both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil members are closely watching to see who will secure key positions in the expanded junior ministerial lineup.
Among Fine Gael representatives, Dublin South-West TD Colm Brophy, Cork South-Central TD Jerry Buttimer, and Waterford TD John Cummins are being closely considered. However, with only two positions available, there is uncertainty over the future of Cork North-Central TD Colm Burke, who currently serves as a minister of state and may lose his role.
Meanwhile, within Fianna Fáil, it is widely expected that Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue will be appointed to a junior ministerial post. Other potential candidates under consideration include Clare TD Timmy Dooley, Cavan-Monaghan TD Niamh Smyth, and Cork North-West TD Michael Moynihan. Additional names that could be in contention include Cork South-West TD Christopher O’Sullivan, Carlow-Kilkenny TD Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, and Dublin South-Central TD Catherine Ardagh.
At today’s Cabinet meeting, ministers will be briefed on the appointment of 23 ministers of state—three more than in the previous coalition government. Seven junior ministers have already been confirmed, including five Independent TDs supporting the government, newly appointed Chief Whip Mary Butler from Fianna Fáil, and Fine Gael’s Hildegarde Naughton. The remaining 16 appointments will be officially announced later today.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has indicated that gender representation was a key factor in the selection process, acknowledging that only three of the 15 senior Cabinet ministers are women.
Beyond the ministerial appointments, the primary focus of today’s meeting will be the government’s response to the recent storm. Departments including Housing, Social Protection, and Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment are expected to present detailed memos addressing the crisis.
A key agenda item will be discussions on the establishment of a new “Extreme Weather Event Assistance Scheme,” designed to provide support for affected homeowners, community organizations, farmers, and businesses. This initiative aims to complement existing humanitarian assistance programs under the Department of Social Protection, as well as the specific flooding relief scheme introduced by the previous coalition government.
