Tánaiste and Uachtarán Fianna Fáil Micheál Martin has today announced the appointment of Kildare North TD James Lawless as a Minister of State and Mayo TD Dara Calleary as Junior Minister attending Cabinet.
Announcing the appointment of Minister Lawless, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said: "I am delighted to announce the appointment today of Deputy James Lawless as Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics and at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for Postal Policy.
"James has been an excellent TD, showing particular interest and expertise in transport coming from the commuter belt area, with a particular focus on public transport. He is a very diligent legislator who will do a very fine job as a Minister of State."
Minister Lawless said: "I'm honoured to be appointed this evening as Minister of State.
"It is a huge honour to serve my country, serve the government and serve my party. Transport is at the heart of the Kildare North commuter belt and all that I've worked towards as a public representative.
"I look forward to building on the work done by Minister Jack Chambers and getting stuck into my brief."
The Tánaiste has also announced the appointment of Mayo TD Dara Calleary as a Junior Minister attending Cabinet meetings.
He said: "I am delighted to announce the appointment of Minister Dara Calleary as Minister of State at the Cabinet table with responsibility at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation.
"Dara has vast experience in many different capacities, but he has been particularly attuned to the concerns of the business sector, in particular small to medium sized enterprises and to the developing world of artificial intelligence and the competitive advantages Ireland has in the digital area.
"I believe that at the Cabinet table he will be a strong advocate for these issues."
Minister Calleary said: "I'm very honoured to be rejoining Cabinet.
"I would like to thank the Tánaiste for the opportunity.
"I look forward to working with colleagues on a range of issues, but particularly focussed on helping our enterprise community, our digital community and growing enterprises and business across the regions."
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