CORK South West has its first Fine Gael ministerial post since 1987, with the announcement that Clonakilty-based TD Jim Daly is to become Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People in the Department of Health.
CORK South West has its first Fine Gael ministerial post since 1987, with the announcement that Clonakilty-based TD Jim Daly is to become Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People in the Department of Health.
‘I am absolutely delighted with the news, it is a huge brief and a very important one,’ he said.
Deputy Daly, who voiced his support of Leo Varadkar over Cork leadership contender Simon Coveney, was given the nod by Taoiseach Varadkar in Leinster House this morning.
The last time Cork South West was represented in cabinet was in 2004 – the year Ahiohill man, the late Joe Walsh, then a Fianna Fail Minister for Agriculture, retired from the cabinet.
But the last time that Cork South West Fine Gael was represented in government was when Jim O’Keeffe was Minister of State in Foreign Affairs, in 1987.
The post of Minister of State for Mental Health was previously held by Helen McEntee TD.
