Micheál Martin emphasised the importance of the chief whip’s role during an address to the media at Dublin Castle yesterdayMicheál Martin has defended making Dara Calleary the chief whip after the latter revealed that he was angry and upset at missing out on being made a cabinet minister. After his election to the role of taoiseach over the weekend, Mr Martin appointed Mr Calleary, the deputy leader of Fianna Fáil, as chief whip. The role is paid less than that of a cabinet minister and he does not have a vote at cabinet. It also emerged on Saturday that there would be no cabinet minister from the west of Ireland. Mr Calleary also comes from Co Mayo.

Source: The Times June 29, 2020 23:12 UTC