Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The new government cabinet in their first meeting today

Who's in? Who's out? Here is the new Cabinet

These are the new ministers in the incoming government.

IT’S BEEN ALMOST two months since the general election, and after all the shenanigans yesterday Ireland finally has a fully formed government.

While there are plenty of familiar faces returning to seats around the Cabinet table, some have taken up new roles while a number of newcomers have also made the cut. One sitting minister, Donegal’s Charlie McConalogue, was not re-appointed to a Cabinet position. 

Here are the senior ministers in the new Cabinet:

Taoiseach 

Fianna Fail Special Ard Fheis-14_90720663 New Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin Alan Rowlette / © RollingNews.ie Alan Rowlette / © RollingNews.ie / © RollingNews.ie

Fianna Fáil leader, and outgoing Tánaiste, Micheál Martin has become Taoiseach again. He’ll stay in the role until November 2027, barring any upsets, when he swaps jobs with Simon Harris. 

Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence

washington-united-states-09th-oct-2024-taoiseach-prime-minister-simon-harris-of-ireland-makes-remarks-to-the-press-outside-the-white-house-after-meeting-with-president-joe-biden-in-washington-d Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Simon Harris began the last government as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, but he became Taoiseach following the resignation of Leo Varadkar as Fine Gael leader in April 2024.

This time round, the Wicklow TD is the Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister (in a beefed up portfolio including trade) as well as Minister for Defence.

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

jack-chambers-minister-of-state-at-the-department-of-transport-speaking-to-the-media-during-a-visit-to-clontarf-dublin-to-announce-new-active-travel-funding-for-local-authorities-picture-date-we Fianna Fáil TD Jack Chambers Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Fianna Fáil deputy leader Jack Chambers, who served as Finance Minister towards the end of the last government, has become the new Minister for Public Expenditure. 

The Dublin West TD was 33 years old when appointed Finance Minister last year, the youngest person to hold the position since Michael Collins in 1919.

Finance

brussels-belgium-24th-mar-2023-president-of-the-eurogroup-paschal-donohoe-arrives-for-the-european-council-meeting-and-euro-summit-in-brussels-belgium-march-24-2023-credit-zheng-huansongxinh Fine Gael TD Paschal Donohoe Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Chambers is swapping roles with Fine Gael’s Paschal Donohoe, who is returning to his previous job as Finance Minister. 

Justice, Home Affairs and Migration

fianna-fails-jim-ocallaghan-leaving-the-dail-in-dublin-where-protests-from-members-of-extinction-rebellion-took-place-picture-date-wednesday-september-15-2021 Jim O'Callaghan Alamy Alamy

Fianna Fáil’s Jim O’Callaghan is now the Minister for Justice.

The Dublin Bay South TD has previously been his party’s justice spokesperson. In the last government, he turned down an offer of a junior ministry in the Department of Justice under Helen McEntee’s leadership.

Climate, Environment and Energy and Minister for Transport

minister-for-housing-darragh-obrien-attends-the-official-opening-of-46-new-social-homes-at-the-rectory-in-blessington-co-wicklow-picture-date-friday-october-4-2024 Fianna Fáil TD Darragh O'Brien Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Darragh O’Brien (Fianna Fáil) is moving from his previous role as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to Minister for Transport and the Environment. 

Education and Youth

minister-for-justice-helen-mcentee-during-the-2024-cross-border-police-conference-on-organised-serious-crime-at-the-farnham-estate-cavan-co-cavan-picture-date-wednesday-february-28-2024 Fine Gael TD Helen McEntee Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Fine Gael’s Helen McEntee served as Minister for Justice in the last government. This time she is taking up the role of Minister for Education and Youth, replacing Norma Foley.

Health 

minister-of-state-jennifer-carroll-macneill-arrives-at-talbot-hotel-stillorgan-dublin-for-the-first-regional-meeting-of-fine-gael-members-to-discuss-ratification-of-the-programme-for-government-pi Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll McNeill Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

McEntee’s party colleague Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is the new Minister for Health, after being promoted from a junior ministry in EU Affairs and Defence. She is replacing Fianna Fáil’s Stephen Donnelly, who lost his seat in the general election.

Children, Disability and Equality

minister-for-education-norma-foley-speaking-at-a-press-conference-in-the-government-buildings-dublin-picture-date-tuesday-september-3-2024 Fianna Fáil TD Norma Foley Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Fianna Fáil’s Norma Foley has gone from Minister for Education to Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.

Agriculture, Food and the Marine

martin-heydon-t-d-minister-irischer-staatsminister-landwirtschaft-ernaehrung-und-marine-muenchen-17-03-2023-ludwigstrasse-st-patricks-day-irisch-parade-muenchen-martin-heydon-t-d-minister-irish Fine Gael's Martin Heydon Alamy Alamy

The Agriculture brief is being passed from Fianna Fáil to Fine Gael, with Kildare South TD Martin Heydon appointed as minister. 

In the last government he was a junior minister in the Department, with responsibility for research and development and farm safety. 

Enterprise, Tourism and Employment

049Cabinet Meetings_90714221 Peter Burke RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

Fine Gael’s Peter Burke will remain in situ as Minister for Enterprise – one of the few ministers from the last government to continue in their brief.

Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport

Student accommodation-16_90704228 Fine Gael TD Patrick O'Donovan Photographer Photographer

In the last government, Fine Gael’s Patrick O’Donovan succeeded his party leader Simon Harris as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. This time he is Minister for Communications, Arts and Culture.

Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

minister-of-state-for-international-transport-james-lawless-at-ryanairs-offices-near-dublin-airport-the-minister-has-said-tourists-visiting-dublin-should-consider-flying-to-shannon-or-cork-airports Fianna Fáil TD James Lawless Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Fianna Fáil’s James Lawless finished the last government term as a junior minister at the Department of Transport. He will now take on the role of Minister for Higher Education. 

Chief Whip and Minister of State responsible for Mental Health

minister-of-state-at-the-department-of-health-mary-butler-during-a-budget-2024-press-conference-at-government-buildings-in-dublin-picture-date-wednesday-october-11-2023 Fianna Fáil TD Mary Butler Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Fianna Fáil’s Waterford TD Mary Butler is set to become the government’s new Chief Whip, while also having responsibility for mental health. 

She is being elevated from her previous role as junior minister for mental health and older people. 

Social Protection, Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

minister-of-state-for-trade-promotion-digital-and-company-regulation-dara-calleary-td-speaks-to-the-media-ahead-of-a-fianna-fail-enterprise-roundtable-at-leinster-house-in-dublin-picture-date-wedn Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Fianna Fáil’s Dara Calleary was a junior minister at the Department of Enterprise last time round. He will now be Minister for Social Protection, Rural Affairs and the Gaeltacht. 

Housing, Local Government and Heritage

minister-james-browne-speaking-to-the-media-at-government-buildings-in-dublin-about-increased-penalties-for-knife-crime-picture-date-tuesday-april-16-2024 Fianna Fáil TD James Browne Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Fianna Fáil’s James Browne is the new Minister for Housing, having spent the last government term as a junior minister at the Department of Justice.

Minister of State at Cabinet with responsibility for Disability 

irish-citizens-residing-in-mexico-celebrated-st-patricks-day-with-traditional-dances-and-music-this-wednesday-morning-at-the-irish-embassy-in-mexico-the-event-was-attended-by-important-people-such Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

The Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton holds on to her seat around the Cabinet table. 

Minister of State attending Cabinet with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development

independent-td-noel-grealish-leaves-leinster-house-dublin-where-the-dail-was-set-to-resume-and-vote-on-the-nomination-of-micheal-martin-as-taoiseach-picture-date-wednesday-january-22-2025 Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

A member of the Regional Independents, Noel Grealish, who secured a super junior job that gets him a seat at the Cabinet table. 

Minister of State attending cabinet with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports.

independent-td-sean-canney-at-leinster-house-in-dublin-after-a-deal-was-reached-to-form-irelands-next-government-with-an-agreement-finalised-between-fianna-fail-fine-gael-and-the-regional-independ Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

 

Galway East TD Sean Canney, another Regional Independent TD who has a seat at Cabinet. He will also attend the weekly leaders meeting with Micheál Martin and Simon Harris. 

Attorney General 

ATTORNEY GENERAL 380_90667737 RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

Rossa Fanning will remain as Attorney-General for a second term.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
79 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bernadette Dunne
    Favourite Bernadette Dunne
    Report
    Nov 20th 2011, 4:13 PM

    Best of Luck to all and do not give up keep the pressure on even when yea feel like giving up this government are going away the people are not Best wishes

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Woods
    Favourite John Woods
    Report
    Nov 21st 2011, 2:13 AM

    If they are looking to close down a “house” to save money, I can think of one or two places which could be shut instead of this nursing home. Senate, Farmleigh, even Aras an Uachtarain for god sake.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute iWmTN8uK
    Favourite iWmTN8uK
    Report
    Nov 20th 2011, 7:05 PM

    To those of you against this and other cuts, where do you propose money is going to majestically fall from? The trees?

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute elaine
    Favourite elaine
    Report
    Nov 20th 2011, 8:47 PM

    Cut management who are clearly failing at their jobs, cut back office nobodies, do not take the homes out from under innocent vulnerable people!!

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John McHugh
    Favourite John McHugh
    Report
    Nov 20th 2011, 11:29 PM

    I would hate to burst your bubble Micheal but the Euro is a fiat currency.
    So although it doesnt grow on trees, it is made from trees and holds as much value as there is nothing backing it.

    So ironically enough value wise it may as well grow on trees.

    But hey, karma’s a bitch.
    When you grow old and have your pension used as collateral for greedy gamblers so that they don’t have to put their hands into their own pockets, maybe your mark on society will leave you high and dry and out in the cold to die.

    40
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Carroll
    Favourite Declan Carroll
    Report
    Nov 21st 2011, 12:29 AM

    Meanwhile our last Minister for Health, Mary Harney, is in receipt of E130,000 a year pension. Not bad for someone who’s very political philosophy lead to the ruination of an entire nation. What does that work out a week ? FFS !!!

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John
    Favourite John
    Report
    Nov 21st 2011, 12:44 AM

    So…in your world, we all just lie down and let the establishment cut us back to a third-world society. I guess the “those of you” you refer to don’t come from the Banking World?

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Mulligan
    Favourite Niall Mulligan
    Report
    Nov 21st 2011, 1:15 AM

    Attaboy, Declan.

    The biggest problem I see at the moment is that cuts and taxpayer pain seems like a soft option to our leaders, only way to make them change course is to have them fear the electorate. We need to seem more protests, hopefully this is only the start.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bernadette Dunne
    Favourite Bernadette Dunne
    Report
    Nov 21st 2011, 3:54 AM

    There is money going out on HUGE SALARIES TO TD’s Ministers Senators county Councillors an Tanaiste Bankers and top Civil Servants management teams etc etc etc it is time that their wage be cut with a very sharp cut and now they are way overpaid

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carr Barnes
    Favourite Carr Barnes
    Report
    Nov 21st 2011, 8:11 AM

    What if the government told you you had to move out of your home to another area? And while imagining that take into account u.at you can’t just hop onto a bus or into a car to go see friends or family meaning you would be isolated in a place you don’t know with people you don’t know. These are people not boxes of junk.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Dunne
    Favourite Daniel Dunne
    Report
    Nov 21st 2011, 2:41 AM

    I attended this march today and it is sickening to see what those in power are willing to do to very elderly citizens. But reading between the lines, there is planning permission granted for a private nursing home within 100m of the current public hospital. It seems the “brown envelope” culture is still strong in our nation.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bernadette Dunne
    Favourite Bernadette Dunne
    Report
    Nov 21st 2011, 3:58 AM

    Is the private nursing home connect to James Reilly by any chance in abbeyleix

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Ryan
    Favourite John Ryan
    Report
    Nov 21st 2011, 1:11 AM

    Michael, where did the money come from to pay back the bond holders? Seems there was no bother there. Let’s get our priorities straight and look after our own first instead of accepting our politicians arse-licking the fat cats in Europe who are effectively running the show now and it’s people like this who get left in the shit. Good Luck to them, I hope justice prevails!

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute CMD
    Favourite CMD
    Report
    Nov 21st 2011, 5:46 AM

    Bernadette you have probably near enough hit the nail on the head. There is some vested interest involved – some fat cat will benefit from this closure. And the frightening thing is that ordinary people really have no power against this sort of thing for another 4 and half years till we get a chance to vote this shower out. I’d bet the next government will be made up of a lot of independents. People just won’t trust any party from now on.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O'Doherty
    Favourite Dave O'Doherty
    Report
    Nov 21st 2011, 6:37 AM

    CMD, it’s a pity that some people think that the people only have power once every five years. We have it all the time, 24/7.

    Problem is, we have such a short memory that our next government will probably be a coalition of FF and FG who will both still (amazingly) have enough support to get in after Labour are butchered like the Greens.

    We’re a country of lambs and lambs get slaughtered. Simples!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John
    Favourite John
    Report
    Nov 21st 2011, 2:34 AM

    Current Government Minister with an ‘Overwhelming Mandate’ in a rare moment of humble contemplation: “Hmmm…Imagine if the referendum on Oireachtas inquiries had passed and then we could have made an example of these obstinate protest march organisers (in matters of general public interest of course, and with little or no recourse to the Courts) for defying this Governments’ agenda on the Privatisation of Everything.”…Maybe in the next Referendum?!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank McMahon
    Favourite Frank McMahon
    Report
    Nov 20th 2011, 10:25 PM

    the sign wouldve been more effective if it said “im NOT a celebrity, you cant get me out of here..”

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute CMD
    Favourite CMD
    Report
    Nov 21st 2011, 11:20 AM

    Dave I agree with you about the “sheep” who will still vote FF or FG regardless of what either party do while in office. My point is that we really have no power at this moment to stop the closure of nursing homes, barracks or hospitals. They will be forced on us, we will be told it’s for the good of the economy or health and safety and in 4 years time a lot of these actions will be forgotten and the same merry-go-round of promises, speeches and bulls….t will start again. And most people will fall for it all over again. I’m long enough around to have seen it all many times. I just despair of this country. Then we have so many young people who won’t even vote – ach sin sceal eile!

    2
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds