New Minister for Finance to be formally appointed in Dáil
The new Minister of Finance Jack Chambers will be formally appointed this afternoon.
The Dublin West TD will succeed Michael McGrath, who has been nominated as Ireland’s next European Commissioner.
The elevation of Mr Chambers to one of the top posts in Government will take place in the Dáil later.
After a vote, he will then receive his seal of office from President Michael D Higgins in Arás an Uachtaráin.
The new Minister for Finance will have to quickly immerse himself in the fine detail of his new job, as he has to craft and deliver a pre-election budget in just over three months.
His replacement in the super junior ministerial role, which allows a Minister of State to attend Cabinet meetings, is also set to be announced shortly.
Some of those linked with that position include Dara Calleary, Thomas Byrne, Mary Butler and James Browne.
The outgoing Minister for Finance will watch proceedings unfold from the backbenches, as he begins the work of securing a prominent economic post in the European Commission.
Mr McGrath said he is honoured to be Ireland’s nominee for EU Commissioner, adding that it is a job that he was interested in.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said being at the table of the College of Commissioners in the European Union is “an extraordinary honour”.
“I will have to undergo an extensive ratification process. So, I now need to immerse myself in that over the coming months,” Mr McGrath said.
On leaving the role as Minister for Finance after having delivered just one Budget, he said he will be continuing in public service.
“It will be in a different role and on a different stage hopefully and I have been an elected representative for 25 years,” he said.
“I will continue as a TD until the ratification process is concluded and, hopefully, I’ll be able to take up that position in around four months’ time.
“But it does mean that I won’t be contesting the next election. But I am satisfied when I look at where we are economically and what my core responsibility has been and is up to today as Minister for Finance.”
Article Source – New Minister for Finance to be formally appointed in Dáil – RTE
