Donegal politician Joe McHugh is the new Fine Gael whip and Minister with responsibility for the Gaeltacht and the Islands.
The announcement has been made as new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar named his new cabinet.
His appointment as the party’s Chief Whip is seen as an endorsement of McHugh’s place at the Cabinet table.
Part of his role will be to ensure that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires.
The appointment is seen as a huge promotion for Deputy McHugh in the present Government set-up.
The other main changes are:
Michael Creed stays as Agriculture Minister.
Pascal Donohue becomes Minister of a new Department of Finance and Public Expenditure.
Simon Coveney becomes the Minister for Foreign Affairs
Frances Fitzgerald stays Tanaiste but moves to Enterprise and Innovation.
Richard Burton will be the new Minister for Education.
Eoghan Murphy has been appointed Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.
Charlie Flanagan will move from Foreign Affairs to become Minister for Justice.
Simon Harris remains as Minister for Health
Michael Ring is the new Minister for Rural Affairs.
Mary Mitchell O’Connor is the new “super junior” minister with responsibilities for equality and law reform.
Shane Ross keeps his role as Minister for Transport and Tourism
Katherine Zappone remains as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs while Seamus Woulfe is the new Attorney General.
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