Minister Breen given expanded role

IN the announcement by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of his team of Ministers of State, Clare Deputy Pat Breen has effectively retained his position but with a much wider brief.

Mr Breen will have special responsibility for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, serving across the Department of Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Employment and Social Protection, the Department of the Taoiseach, and the Department of Justice and Equality.

Key appointments announced by Mr Varadkar today (Tuesday) include:

· Helen McEntee has been appointed Minister for European Affairs. She will be working alongside both the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade Simon Coveney on issues including Brexit.

Two Ministers of State have been appointed to support Paschal Donohoe in the Departments of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform. The two Ministers will work across both Departments to enhance the integration process:

An Taoiseach said, “We aim to be a government of purpose that gets things done. These appointments enhance the Government team and help us to drive forward the Programme for a Partnership Government and build a Republic of Opportunity. So each Minister of State has been assigned a specific task, and each appointment was made by matching skill sets and experience to roles.

“It includes representatives from both Fine Gael and Independents to reflect the fact that this is a Partnership Government. Everyone in the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party will be expected to play a role in Government and rebuilding the Party. I’m looking forward to working with all my colleagues in the months and years ahead to bring about real improvements in people’s