Midlands Minister to assume temporary Cabinet duties

Local Enterprise Minister, Peter Burke TD, will temporarily assume the duties of Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan TD, as the Limerick politician recovers from illness.

In addition to keeping his core enterprise portfolio, the Longford-Westmeath Dáil representative has taken on extra responsibilities covering Minister O'Donovan role as he recovers from his recent hospitalisation.

An Tánaiste Simon Harris received approval from An Taoiseach Micheál Martin to reassign Minister O'Donovan's ministerial position to the Mullingar based politician.

O'Donovan will remain a Cabinet Minister without a portfolio until he returns to his Dáil duties.

Minister O'Donovan thanked all who have offered their support as he continues to recover from his recent hospitalisation and also expressed his gratitude to Deputy Burke for filling his Cabinet role in his absence.