Dara Calleary replaces Robert Troy as Minister for State

Mayo TD previously resigned as Minister for Agriculture over his attendance at a golf society dinner in Galway in August 2020.

Dara Calleary has been appointed Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The Mayo TD replace party colleague Robert Troy who resigned from the role after failing to all of his property dealings on the register of politicians' members interests.

Deputy Calleary himself previously resigned as Minister for Agriculture over his attendance at a golf society dinner in Galway in August 2020.

But earlier this year the Taoiseach left the door open for a possible return to Cabinet saying a “heavy price” had been paid, commenting also that Deputy Calleary had been “very dignified” after news broke.

Pipped to the role was Cavan-Monaghan TD, Niamh Smyth.

Regarding the prospect of promotion, this week Deputy Smyth said she would welcome any “opportunity” to hold a junior ministerial role, if only for a few months, until Fianna Fáil hands over the reins of government to coalition partner Leo Varadkar and Fine Gael in December.

Twice elected Deputy Smyth is currently chair of the Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, dealing with a number of topics from online safety and regulation to the challenges facing the hospitality sector during Covid, and the abuse of referees, officials, and players in sport.

She previously served on the party’s front bench as spokesperson for the Arts and Heritage, and there was some surprise within party ranks that she was overlooked for a more senior position when Fianna Fáil took up their role in government after the 2020 general election.

There has not been a Fianna Fáil minister or junior minister in the Cavan-Monaghan constituency in more than a decade, since Brendan Smith’s short stint as Minister for Justice in 2011, and before that as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (2008-11).

“I’m certainly always up for the challenge. I feel I’ve shown my ability to put in the hard graft when extra responsibility is placed on my shoulders,” said Deputy Smyth.

Welcoming the new appointment, the Taoiseach said: “Dara brings considerable experience to this role, having already served in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

“A professional and diligent worker, I have no doubt Dara will hit the ground running, in helping indigenous Irish companies face the significant challenges and opportunities ahead, as well as overseeing important legislative reforms of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board.”

Deputy Calleary himself added: “I look forward to getting stuck in straight away and continuing to build on the great work my colleague Robert Troy TD has done in the department.

“The Department is full of hard-working and talented people and I'm looking forward to working alongside them.

“This is a great personal honour and I am very grateful to my family, my colleagues, my supporters and my constituents for their ongoing support.”

READ MORE: ‘I’m up for the challenge’ - Smyth