Joe McHugh will remain as a Minister
GAELTACHT Minister Joe McHugh says he will continue his journey learning Irish – whether he remains in his position or is moved to another ministry.
The Fine Gael Donegal TD WILL stay as a Minister when Taoiseach Enda Kenny announced junior positions over the next few days, according to sources in Leinster House.
“It’s not for me to decide whether I remain a minister or not, but if I do remain as a junior minister I really hope it is the same position,” he said.
Minister McHugh started brushing up on his Irish when he was given the job almost two years ago. He has won praise for his efforts, spending weeks in Glencolmcille at Oideas Gael language courses there.
“Irish is part of our DNA,” said McHugh.
“I have loved my job and I want to continue to improve my Irish and help bring our native language into more spheres of life inside and outside the gaeltacht.
“Hopefully I will get to continue my role because there are a lot of things I want to do over the next term of the Dáil.”
He vowed: “If I am moved on or if I do not retain a position at all, I will take Irish with me and try to bring into the centre of everything I do.”
Meanwhile Fianna Fail is under fire after agreeing a programme for government with Fine Gael without insisting on its pre-election promise to promote the Gaeltacht Minister’s position to a senior stand-alone cabinet position.