Charlie McConalogue has been named this evening as the Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport at the somewhat reshaped Department of Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport.
The Fianna Fáil TD for Donegal was the Minister for Agriculture and the Marine in the last Government. He replaces party colleague Thomas Byrne who returns to the Minister of State position responsible for European Affairs and Defence.
McConologue is clearly an experienced operator and will bring a strong awareness of Government politics to the role, seen as being one of the most highly prized Minister of State positions. He is a sports fan with something of a grá for Liverpool FC we understand, alongside Finn Harps and Donegal GAA obviously.
He is the first Donegal TD to have responsibility for sport since Jim McDaid who served as Minister for Tourism and Sport between 1997 and 2002.
He will work closely with Patrick O’Donovan who was confirmed in the Senior Ministerial position in the Department last week.
Another nod for sport is the elevation of Niamh Smyth to Minister of State in Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Smyth was Chair of the Oireachtas Committee shadowing Sport and the media over the last few years.
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
Donegal will be celebrating having the sports portfolio in the county for the first time. So too will sport having two experienced Ministers working side by side in the Department.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
Depending on the Cabinet agenda this week or next we expect the new Minister to be part of a significant announcement. Watch this space…
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
The Department is one of 300+ active members of the Sport for Business Community.
The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.