Doherty pledges to help those who need it most in new role

The new Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty says that her main aim in the portfolio is to ensure that money goes to the people who need it most.

She said she relishes the opportunity to work in such a challenging brief.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, she said that despite better economic circumstances, there were still pockets in the country where people could not find employment.

“I want to look at the social responsibility of people.”

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When asked about Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s initiative targeting welfare fraud, Ms Doherty said that anyone who claims money to which they are not entitled, is taking it from those who need it most.

She went on to defend the gender balance of the new Cabinet, saying the Taoiseach had “done the best he could do”.

“There needs to be more women in politics. We need to put them on the ticket. The more of us there are, the more to choose from.”

Later on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms Doherty said she wanted to make sure that future budget packages are progressive.

She also defended the appointment of former Attorney General Maire Whelan, saying "she is eminently qualified and will make a great judge".

Ms Doherty said she had not been aware of the appointment before it was presented to the Cabinet meeting.

Ms Doherty also vowed to continue to support land owners in her constituency to ensure they are treated with respect by EirGrid.

When asked if she supported civil disobedience she replied “nobody is going to break the law”.

However, she said that EirGrid will not get access to a field “if they turn up”.

“The sooner they treat people with respect, the sooner work on the North-South grid will start.”