Limerick TD gets new junior ministerial portfolio in latest shake-up
Kieran O'Donnell named Minister of State at Office of Public Works
LIMERICK CITY TD Kieran O'Donnell has been moved to Office of Public Works (OPW) as part of new Taoiseach Simon Harris's reshuffle of his junior ministers.
Mr O'Donnell moves from being a Minister of State at the Department of Housing, a role which saw him bring through the legislation underpinning Limerick's executive mayor.
The Monaleen man was appointed to that position in December 2022 after former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar returned to the role following a two year absence.
The position, which is considered by many as the 'most senior' of the junior ministries was previously held by County Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O'Donovan.
He was promoted from there to Cabinet on Tuesday to serve as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Mr O'Donnell said he is "deeply honoured and privileged" by the appointment.
"I'm greatly looking forward to the new challenge and as with my previous ministerial role, I will give it my all. I will continue to ensure the Limerick City constituency receives the priority it deserves," he added.
Fianna Fail TD Niall Collins will remain in his post as Minister of State for skills and further education.
Kieran O'Donnell is a nephew of Tom O'Donnell, the former Minister, MEP and Limerick East deputy, was first elected to Dail Eireann in 2007.
It followed a three year spell on the former Limerick County Council.
During his first term, the Monaleen man became a high-profile voice in the chamber as Fine Gael's deputy finance spokesperson, with Ireland and the world plunging into recession.
In May 2010, he was given the full-time finance portfolio by then party leader Fine Gael, after Richard Bruton led an unsuccessful leadership challenge.
But after Mr O'Donnell backed Mr Bruton in this, he was demoted to the backbenches.
He was re-elected in 2011 as part of the Fine Gael surge, but then lost his Dail seat five years later in dramatic circumstances, missing out on the last seat to former Labour TD Jan O'Sullivan.
Despite this, he was elected as a Senator for the Cultural and Educational Panel a few weeks later.
And in 2020, the accounting professional was returned to the Lower House, taking the third seat in Limerick City.
He was made chairman of the Transport committee in this Dail term.
Before becoming a full-time public representative, Mr O'Donnell worked as an accountant.