Politics

‘It’s 2025 not 1955’: Just six women appointed Ministers of State while FF’s Robert Troy handed ministerial return

Colm Brophy offered the role of Minister of State for Migration

The newly appointed Ministers of State pictured with An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and Tánaiste Simon Harris TD at Government Buildings Photograph: Collins
The newly appointed Ministers of State pictured with An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD and Tánaiste Simon Harris TD at Government Buildings Photograph: Collins
Jack Horgan-Jones
Wed Jan 29 2025 - 18:57

Just six women out of a total of 23 Ministers of State were appointed after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Under the agreement between the two parties Fianna Fáil has 10 junior ministers and Fine Gael has eight while the Regional Independent Group (RIG) has three, which were previously announced.

The two Government parties were expected to move to improve the ratio of women when naming the junior minister positions, but just three new names emerged on Wednesday - Fine Gael’s Emer Higgins along with Fianna Fáil’s Niamh Smyth and Jennifer Murnane O’Connor.

Chief whips Hildegarde Naughton and Mary Butler were previously appointed. Marian Harkin of the RIG is the sixth female junior minister.

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Ged Nash, Labour finance spokesman, said on RTÉ‘s Drivetime that the gender issue had not been addressed, describing the appointments a “baby minister bonanza” that would make the boomtime blush. He said that the main concern seemed to be geography not gender when allocating junior ministerial positions.

“What has this Government got against women? It’s 2025 not 1955,” he said.

Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins said the Government had a “shameful record” when it comes to giving women a seat at the top table.

“Last week, just three women were appointed to Cabinet – a risible figure," she said. “Instead of making progress on increased gender balance, the Government is again going backwards.”

Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy takes up the role of Minister for State for Migration. The role has been created by the incoming Coalition amid an expectation that the issue will remain contentious during the Government’s term.

Mr Brophy previously served as minister of State for overseas development aid and diaspora.

Fianna Fáil’s Robert Troy, who resigned following a controversy over his regulatory filings in 2022, will make a ministerial comeback, having been offered the position of junior minister at the Department of Finance. He had previously held the position of minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Neale Richmond is named as Tánaiste Simon Harris’s junior minister in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Former Seanad speaker Jerry Buttimer is to take the role of Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Developments.

However, Mr Buttimer’s fellow Cork TD Colm Burke said on Wednesday evening that he was “disappointed” not to be reappointed. Mr Burke previously served as minister of State for public health, wellbeing and the national drugs strategy, which he said was an “honour and a privilege”.

New Minister of State Michael Healy Rae TD at Government Buildings as the newly appointed Ministers of State were announced. Photograph: Collins
New Minister of State Michael Healy Rae TD at Government Buildings as the newly appointed Ministers of State were announced. Photograph: Collins

The full list of junior ministers was announced after Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting. Unlike, senior ministries, the junior positions are chosen by the Government as a whole and not by the Taoiseach.

Are 'super-juniors' unconstitutional? With Fintan O'Toole

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Michael Moynihan has been appointed Minister of State for Special Education.

Emer Higgins has been appointed to the Department of Public Expenditure. Kieran O’Donnell will keep his responsibilities in the Department of Housing and also take up a role in the Department of Health with responsibility for older people.

Mayo TD Alan Dillon has been appointed as Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise.

John Cummins secured a position as Minister of State at the Department of Housing.

On the Fianna Fáil side, Niall Collins will be Minister of State at the Department of Justice while Chris O’Sullivan will be Minister of State at the Department of Housing with responsibility for nature and heritage.

Niamh Smyth has been appointed as a Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, while Jennifer Murnane O’Connor becomes a junior minister in the Department of Health, alongside Mary Butler, the Government Chief Whip whose appointment was announced last week.

Thomas Byrne was appointed as Minister of State for European Affairs while former agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue will take up the role of Minister of State for Sport.

Timmy Dooley meanwhile has been made Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture with responsibility for fisheries.

Fianna Fáil will have 10 junior ministers; Fine Gael will have eight; with the remaining five having already been assigned to the Regional Independents Group.

The full list of junior ministers is as follows:

Fine Gael

Junior ministers:

  • Colm Brophy - Minister for State for Migration
  • Neale Richmond – Minister for State in the Department of Foreign Affairs
  • Kieran O’Donnell -  Minister of State in the Department of Housing and also in the Department of Health as older peoples' minister
  • Emer Higgins - Minister of State in the Department of Public Expenditure
  • Alan Dillon  - Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise
  • John Cummins – Minister of State at the Department of Housing
  • Jerry Buttimer – Minister of State for Rural Affairs

Super junior minister:

Chief whip - Hildegarde Naughton

Fianna Fáil

Super junior:

Mary Butler - Chief whip with special responsibilities for mental health

Regional Independent Group

Junior ministers:

Super Juniors:

Sean Canney - super junior in the Department of Transport with responsibility for ports and roads

Noel Grealish – a super junior ministerial role on food innovation and exports at the Department of Agriculture

Jack Horgan-Jones

Jack Horgan-Jones

Jack Horgan-Jones is a Political Correspondent with The Irish Times