New Taoiseach Micheál Martin has caused “widespread shock” and anger in his own party at his decision to exclude his own deputy leader Dara Calleary from his list of full Cabinet ministers. Mr Calleary has been confirmed as Mr Martin’s Government Chief Whip which will allow him to sit at Cabinet, but he will not have a portfolio. It had widely speculated that Mr Calleary would be one of Mr Martin’s first picks to be in Cabinet. Fianna Fáil TDs openly saying at Dublin’s convention centre for Dail sitting that they are “shocked” that Dara Calleary, party deputy leader, given role of government chief whip. Mr Calleary was first elected to the Dáil in 2007 and was appointed a junior finance minister by Brian Cowen in 2008.

Source: Irish Examiner June 27, 2020 17:15 UTC