Donegal TD Joe McHugh has expressed his delight after being appointed to Chief Whip and the Gaeltacht in the new Leo Varadkar-led Government.
McHugh was Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, appointed to the position last year by then Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
Taking the reigns from former Chief Whip Regina Doherty, who is to replace Varadkar as Minister for Social Protection, Minister McHugh was given the new role in Government by the Taoiseach this evening.
Minister McHugh has this evening expressed special gratitude to the people of Donegal, and is certain that having a Varadkar-led government will make Donegal into a place of opportunities, within the ‘Republic of Opportunities’.
“I am delighted with the new positions I have been appointed to by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar this evening,” said Minister McHugh.
“The Taoiseach was in a position where he had a limited number of new positions in Cabinet so I am very grateful for this new opportunity.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to my family for all their support throughout my 18 years in politics.
“I want to say a special ‘thank you’ to the people of Donegal. I always work for them and I am confident that this Government with Leo Varadkar at the helm will help me even more in that work.
“I am a strong supporter of Leo Varadkar and I do believe he will bring great change for the better to our country and I am looking forward to being a part of establishing that Republic of Opportunities, and for me, a Donegal of Opportunities where everyone has a chance to realise their dreams regardless of their background.
“There is a great deal still be done in this country and in Donegal and that work continues.
“I want to thank all those who I have worked with over the past year in the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of An Taoiseach in my roles as International Development and Diaspora Minister.
“I am looking forward to working as Chief Whip and I am particularly delighted to be back in my role for the Gaeltacht.
“The Taoiseach asked me to continue to promote the Gaeltacht and to now promote Gaeilge across the country and I am keen to do that.
“This is a huge double honour for me today and I will work hard in both my roles in the time ahead.”
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