Jackie disappointed at being overlooked for ministerial role

Tipperary Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill has expressed his 'huge disappointment' at the failure of Taoiseach Michéal Martin to appoint him a minister in the new government.

Deputy Cahill is among a number of Fianna Fáil TDs who have publicly expessed their disappointment at not being promoted, marking a shaky start for the new Government and leading to speculation as to Mr Martin's level of authority as leader of the party and his role as head of a government hoping to last for a full five-year term. The Tipperary TD said he was hugely disappointed for the people of Tipperary at the decision to overlook the county for a seat at "the top table".

He said Tipperary now faces another Dáil term without a minister to represent its interests. "Tipperary is now only one of five counties in the country without ministerial representation," he added. "I am extremely disappointed that we have been overlooked, as the county battles its own problems in the areas of access to mental health services, rural broadband connection, access to supports for SMEs in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, employment, and the supply of public and affordable homes."

As a former President over two terms of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association and a farmer himself, Deputy Cahill, who was first elected to the Dáil in 2016, had hoped to be promoted to one of the ministerial positions with an agriculture portfolio. He continued: "Since 2016, as Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Food, Horticulture and Forestry, I have done my utmost to raise the concerns of the agri-food industry in the county, who are facing an uncertain future as the impending fallout from Brexit continues to threaten jobs and livelihoods."

He added: "Now more than ever these people need proper Government representation to make sure their needs are addressed. As the sole government TD in the county, my attention will soley be on making sure my constituents voices are heard, and to provide solid representation for those who need it most."

Deputy Cahill said he looked forward to working with the new Minister for Agriculture and Food, Barry Cowen, "whom I have always had a close working relationship with on agricultural issues".

Deputy Cahill joins a number of Fianna Fáil TDs whose public utterances of disappointment at being overlooked for promotion by Mr Martin has caused deep controversy in Fianna Fáil and within government in its first two weeks in office.

Others who have expressed anger and disappointment include the Cork North West TD Michael Moynihan and Limerick TD, Willie O' Dea. Mayo TD Dara Calleary, appointed Chief Whip, said he was angry and disappointed at not getting a senior ministerial position, though he was subsequently given responsibility for the sport and the Gaelteacht by Mr Martin when he announced his junior ministers on Wednesday of last week.
Meanwhile, the refusal of Dublin TD Jim O' Callaghan to accept a junior minister post after his failure to be appointed to Cabinet has also contributed to speculation about the current mood in Fianna Fáil.