Offaly TD Voices Confidence Over Independent Junior Ministers

Thursday, 13 February 2025 18:36

Carol Nolan is rejecting the 'jobs for the boys' label on the creation of new junior ministries.

Offaly TD Carol Nolan says she has confidence in the Independent deputies given roles in a newly expanded group of junior ministers.

There are a record 23 Ministers of State in the new government.

Longford Westmeath TDs Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, and Robert Troy will take up responsibility at the Office of Public Works, and the Department of Finance.

While other Independents rewarded with junior ministries include Galway East TD Sean Canney, Galway West rep Noel Grealish, Michael Healy Rae from Kerry, and Sligo Leitrim's, Marian Harkin.

Deputy Nolan says she has faith in those selected:

The Offaly poll topper has also been reflecting on the Speaking Rights furore that enveloped the Dail over the course of January.

The Independent rep says she joined forces with Regional Independents to avail of the group's opposition speaking rights.

After much protest from opposition parties that the technical group was both supporting the Government, and taking speaking time as an opposition group, the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy decided against granting them Dáil 'technical group' status.

Deputy Nolan says she's disappointed at how everything played out: