Ireland’s youngest Taoiseach fills Cabinet vacancies, appointing new ministers for enterprise and further education.

Simon Harris, Ireland’s youngest Taoiseach, completed his first task after assuming office by filling key Cabinet vacancies. The Fine Gael leader appointed Peter Burke, the former Minister of State for European Affairs, to the role of Minister for Enterprise. Patrick O’Donovan, previously Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, was promoted to Minister for Further and Higher Education.

In addition to these new appointments, other ministers, including Helen McEntee (Justice), Paschal Donohoe (Finance), and Heather Humphreys (Social Protection), retained their positions. Harris’s reshuffle is seen as an effort to infuse new energy into the government, just ahead of a general election expected next year.

Harris’s election as Taoiseach, following the resignation of Leo Varadkar, was supported by a majority in parliament. The reshuffle also saw Hildegarde Naughton remain as Government Chief Whip and take on the role of Minister of State for Special Education, while Jennifer Carroll MacNeill filled the Minister of State for European Affairs vacancy.

Harris emphasized his commitment to addressing Ireland’s housing crisis, improving healthcare, and promoting social equality during his inaugural speech as Taoiseach. However, his leadership is already facing criticism from opposition leaders, with Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald calling for a general election.