The Daily Star Ireland
The Programme for Government has been formally approved by the Cabinet following its meeting at Áras an Uachtaráin last night. During the meeting, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin spoke to the media about the key areas the government is concerned with: infrastructure, housing, climate action, public services, and the economy. He updated on the expected impact of Storm Éowyn and what the government is doing in preparation.
In the coming days, Mr Martin will also be establishing a new unit on disability within the Department of the Taoiseach. He will also have meetings with Ministers and Secretary-Generals to outline priorities for the weeks and months ahead. He will travel to Poland on Monday to attend a ceremony marking 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz.
The new Cabinet unveiled by Mr. Martin saw changes at the head of a number of the most powerful portfolios, including:
- Simon Harris of Fine Gael will be Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for Defence.
- Jack Chambers, who joins from finance, is Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform, and Digitalisation.
- Paschal Donohoe will take up the role of Minister for Finance.
- Jim O’Callaghan, a Fianna Fáil TD and barrister is appointed Minister for Justice.
- Helen McEntee, the former Justice Minister has been appointed to the role of Minister for Education and Youth
- Jennifer Carroll MacNeill of Fine Gael has become Minister for Health.
- Dara Calleary of Fianna Fáil has become Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
A number of incumbent ministers have been moved to different departments:
- Norma Foley, who had been Minister for Education, now becomes Minister for Children and Disability.
- Darragh O’Brien, who had been Housing Minister, is now Minister for Transport, Environment, and Energy.
Other appointments are as follows:
- Mary Butler, the Fianna Fáil TD for Waterford, has been appointed Government Chief Whip with responsibility for Mental Health.
- James Lawless, Fianna Fáil TD, has been named Minister for Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science.
- Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport.
- Martin Heydon replaces Charlie McConalogue as the Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine.
Rossa Fanning has been reappointed as Attorney General. The party has been allotted eight ministerial roles, including the office of Taoiseach with three promotions in the form of James Lawless, James Browne and Dara Calleary. Peter Burke remains the only minister to retain his portfolio as Minister for Enterprise and Employment.
Three super junior ministers, allowed to sit at Cabinet but not speak, have been appointed:
- Hildegarde Naughton of Fine Gael,
- Sean Canney of the Regional Independents,
- Noel Grealish of the Regional Independents.
Criticism about the Cabinet Makeup: Not Enough Women
The lack of female representation in the new Cabinet is a “backward step,” said Fianna Fáil Councillor Rachael Batten. The Councillor believes that women are being “kicked to the curb” by this administration. Just three women, she pointed out, have been given Cabinet appointments. For her, the principle involved is not one of representation but of simple fairness.
As a mother and political leader, she called for urgent action to be taken against the gender disparity in political institutions. Batten emphasized that stronger policies are needed to ensure real gender equality in politics and urged leaders to reflect the realities faced by women in society.
