New Junior Minister for the Diaspora Joe McHugh.
Donegal’s Junior Minister Joe McHugh has retained his position in Government but has changed roles.
The Carrigart politician was surprised when he was appointed Junior Minister for the Gaeltacht.
And he impressed many when he undertook a comprehensive course to learn the Irish language.
Now McHugh has retained his role and has been appointed as Junior Minister for the Diaspora and Overseas Aid.
The new position will undoubtedly mean a considerable amount of travel for McHugh.
He is one of 18 Junior Ministers appointed by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny this evening.
Minister McHugh told Donegal Daily “I was shocked in the beginning because I was working on perhaps going back to the Department of the Gaeltacht.
“But now I am looking at a whole new challenge which is very relevant to a lot of our young people around the world. I will be working with companies like Randox in trying to encourage people to come home and to work here.
“They are looking to come back but the big game changer is broadband and I am confident it will become a case where people will be making change of life decisions to relocate to places like Donegal for a quality of life and high-quality and fast broadband will just be a given,” he said.
He added that the extra responsibility of Overseas Aid will add to his workload but it is a challenge he is relishing.
“The last appointment was a massive challenge and now the Taoiseach has given me extra responsibility with Overseas Aid and its a big responsibility where I have now have a joint function.
“I got a call from the Taoiseach’s office in the last few minutes to say I have a formal function and will be working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Minister Charlie Flanagan and that will be another challenge and more responsibility.”
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