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Taoiseach announces appointment of Tánaiste and Ministers of Government

Aras Tanaiste

Tánaiste Simon Coveney with President Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar

Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar  has today announced the appointment of the Tánaiste and two members of Government.

Simon Coveney  Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, has been appointed as Tánaiste.

Heather Humphreys has been appointed as the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

Josepha Madigan  has been appointed as the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Speaking today, the Taoiseach said: “Appointing the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney as Tánaiste will enhance his role in the Brexit negotiations currently underway and will make it easier for him to coordinate the work of other departments with respect of Brexit.

Ministers at the Arus

Ministers Humpreys and Madigan receive their seals of office.

“In appointing Minister Humphreys to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, for the first time in seven years the minister will be from outside the Dublin region, and also from the Border. This is particularly relevant in the context of Brexit and also the Government’s commitment to bring more jobs and good jobs to all regions of Ireland, especially rural Ireland. Heather’s experience as a minister and also her background in banking and finance makes her very suited to this role.”

“Minister Madigan will build on the work of Minister Humphreys in the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and will drive forward the Government’s agenda for arts, culture and heritage, including the Creative Ireland programme, an ambitious ten year capital plan for the arts and multi-annual increases in funding for culture and heritage.”