A Cheann Comhairle, I wish to announce, for the information of the Dáil, that today the Government (1) removed (a) Deputy Máire Geoghegan-Quinn from her position as Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach; (b) Deputy Michael Smith from his position as Minister of State at the Department of Industry and Commerce, and (c) Deputy Noel Treacy from his position as Minister of State at the Department of Justice; and (2) appointed (a) Deputy Dermot Ahern as Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip, and Minister of State at the Department of Defence; (b) Deputy Michael P. Kitt as Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and (c) Deputy John O'Donoghue as Minister of State at the Department of Finance.
The Government will make an appointment to the remaining vacancy and will reallocate responsibilities among Ministers of State in the near future.