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New Ministers of State at Environment & Foreign Affairs

The Government today appointed Joe Costelloe as Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with responsibility for Trade and Development. In addition, Minister of State Jan O’Sullivan was assigned to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with special responsibility for Housing and Planning and she will have the right to attend Government meetings.

Following the meeting the Taoiseach Enda Kenny formally congratulated both Ministers:

I would like to congratulate both Jan and Joe on their new appointments. I look forward to working with them both in the implementation of our Programme for Government in these challenging times. I know they will both bring a wealth of experience to their Ministerial portfolios as well as great energy for the tasks which lie ahead.

The Tánaiste also wished both Ministers of State well in their respective portfolios:

I am delighted with today’s appointments. I have worked alongside Jan in my own department since the formation of Government where she has led a number of successful aid and trade missions. I know she is looking forward to taking up her new role as Minister of State for Housing and Planning and to taking a seat at the Cabinet table. Likewise I am looking forward to working alongside Joe, who has now been appointed as Minister of State for Trade and Development.

Minister of State Costello said he was honoured to be offered the role and was delighted to accept it.

"I look forward to working in this very interesting portfolio with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is extremely important that Ireland maintains its good international reputation in Trade and Development, particularly in the area of Overseas Development Aid, even in these difficult economic times for our country", said Minister of State Costello.

Minister of State O’Sullivan said she felt very privileged to be now taking up an important portfolio with a seat at the Cabinet table.

"Among my main priorities in this portfolio will be addressing the issue of homelessness which is very apparent at this time of year. I will also be very conscious of working towards alleviating the stresses of those families who are struggling to meet their mortgages", said Minister of State O’Sullivan.

"This Government has made significant progress in getting the country back on the road to economic recovery. I look forward to working with my Cabinet colleagues in continuing that work", she said.

You can watch today's doorstep with the Ministers of State below...