BREAKING: Limerick TDs secure junior ministries in new government

LIMERICK TDs Niall Collins and Kieran O'Donnell have been named as Ministers of State in the new Government.

Following a cabinet meeting this Wednesday afternoon, the pair were confirmed in their roles.

Fianna Fail's Limerick County TD Mr Collins will serve as a Minister of State in the Department of Justice, where he will handle the portfolios of law reform, international law and youth justice.

"I'm delighted to be reappointed. It's a substantial and important role within the Department of Justice and within government. I am looking forward to working with my colleague Jim O'Callaghan. There is a lot of ambition in the Programme for Government in the areas of justice and law reform. I think it's an endorsement for Limerick, the people of Limerick and my supporters," he said.

Above, Niall Collins, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin

Meanwhile, Fine Gael's TD for Limerick City Mr O'Donnell is back as the Minister of State with his role straddling health and housing.

Working at the Department of Health and Housing, Local Government and Heritage, he will have a special responsibility for older people and housing.

"I am deeply honoured to have been appointed Minister of State for Older People and Housing. I wish to thank Tanaiste Simon Harris for giving me this great opportunity. I look forward to this new ministerial challenge and working with Ministers Jennifer Carroll McNeill and James Browne. I will continue to ensure Limerick receives the priority it deserves," pledged Mr O'Donnell, who is pictured below with Tanaiste Simon Harris.

The pair are both long-serving local politicians.

Mr Collins, from Patrickswell, was elected in 2007 and has been returned at every General Election since.

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In the last Dail, he received his first elevation to become a Minister of State for Skills and Further Education.

Mr O'Donnell was also returned in the old Limerick East constituency in both 2007 and 2011.

He lost his seat in 2016 and served a term in Seanad Eireann, before being returned to the Dail in 2020, and securing re-election in November last.

The Monaleen man has served in two previous junior ministerial roles.

In 2022, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Following Simon Harris's election as Fine Gael leader and elevation to Taoiseach last year, Mr O'Donnell became Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

Last week, Limerick County Fianna Fail TD Patrick O'Donovan was named in the cabinet.

He is the Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport.