Patrick O’Donovan, the Fine Gael TD for Limerick has been confirmed this evening as the Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport.
He is a welcome and familiar name having served as Minister of State with Responsibility for Sport for a year under the Government elected in 2016 led by Enda Kenny.
He was in the position at the time of the Rio Olympic Games and spoke at the Sport for Business Women and Sport conference in that same year, raising for the first time the idea of a target figure for female representation on leadership groups in sport.
He replaces Catherine Martin in the position. Martin was inclined to allow Ministers of State first Jack Chambers and then Thomas Byrne take the lead on sporting matters.
We will look at Patrick O’Donovan’s profile in greater depth on Sport for Business tomorrow.
He will be the Minister at a department that has shifted shape in between the last government and this.
Communications has come into the Department while Tourism has moved to Enterprise and Industry and Gaeltacht has moved to a Community and Rural Affairs Department
The shuffling of portfolios will have an impact on the working of the department and on the responsibilities that may now be attributed to senior public servants.
For example Cían O’Líonáin held a dual mandate as the Assistant Secretary General covering Tourism and Sport. These and other elements will likely be determined when the responsibilities of Ministers of State, and their identities are made known next week.
The Minister of State for Sport, Thomas Byrne held the same brief over Physical Education and the Gaeltacht.
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
Patrick O’Donovan is an experienced Minister, and very familiar with the sports brief so is a good appointment from our perspective.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
Sport is expected to retain a Minister of State Position but that will not be confirmed for another week or so.
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
The Department is an active member 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.
