Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
NEW LEGISLATION WILL be required to allow Fine Gael TD Mary Mitchell O’Connor hold the role of super junior minister in Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s cabinet.
Minister for Finance Pachal Donohoe confirmed that the legislation would be required to ensure Mitchell O’Connor receives an extra allowance of over €16,000 as a super junior minister on top of the salary for Minister for State.
Speaking to RTÉ’s News At One, Donohoe said that it was “correct to say that legislation would be required for additional wages, and allowances” to allow Mitchell O’Connor secure the income of a super junior minister.
Before Varadkar’s reshuffle, there were already two super junior ministers, and the legislation would need to be changed to permit another.
Donohoe said that he could think of few people better qualified for the new role Dun Laoghaire TD will hold due to her “lifelong career and passion for education”. Mitchell O’Connor had held the role as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Employment in Enda Kenny’s last cabinet.
Sinn Féin were critical of the need to bring forward new legislation to ensure Mitchell O’Connor receives the allowance.
David Cullinane TD said that the “pay rise” comes at a time “when public sector workers are being told to ditch any claim for equal pay for equal work”.
The Dun Laoghaire TD was the only senior minister not to retain a position as a senior minister, with the exception of Michael Noonan who elected to leave finance, in Varadkar’s reshuffle.
Reacting to her appointment, Fianna Fáil’s Thomas Byrne said he was deeply disappointed with how the junior minister position was created.
He accused the government of coming up with it “at the last minute” and show that the “Taoiseach had no intention of creating this portfolio and the decision was taken as an afterthought”.
Mitchell O’Connor had come under fire for the work she had done in her role as Minister for Jobs by other members of Fine Gael in the past.
Speaking to Fora at a jobs announcement earlier in the year, however, Mitchell O’Connor responded to critics and said that the continuing fall in the unemployment rate is evidence that she is performing well:
My own performance is (a) 6.6% unemployment rate. That’s my performance. When I started, it was much higher.
“It’s getting the job done, that’s what’s important,” she added.
Mitchell O’Connor has also come under fire for her handling of various issues, notably the planned axing of the Connect Ireland scheme.
Speaking to Brendan O’Connor on RTÉ Radio 1 in January about the criticism she’s faced, she said that it had affected her parents a great deal.
“I’d be lying to you if I said it doesn’t [hurt], it does, it’s hurtful,” she said.
It comes with the job, ministers get criticism all the time, I can take that. Who it really hurts are my parents. I could get a phone call at six o’clock in the morning from my mother who didn’t sleep all night [because of it].
Told the wife I booked a table for 7 30. She was excited and got all dolled up. Seemed disappointed when we got there though, I thought she liked snooker.
@Brian Dunne: I thought my wife liked football and didn’t mind me drinking beer. Simple mistake to make.
@Brian Dunne: Cue the jokes about ‘that sinking feeling’
@Larry Betts: …and which colour to go for!
@Pat Barry: Kissing the pink for the day that’s in it
Many couples have to work long hours to pay mortgages that they sometimes have to schedule “Dates” to go somewhere nice and organise babysitter if they have children. It’s normal.
@thomas molloy: I am confused why the mortgage is mentioned? Is this relevant to a date? I mean cant one have a date night at home, feed the kids first, put them to bed and cook a nice meal to enjoy together. Doesnt have to be expensive just had to be a priority.
@Dramafree 2023: you’d need a bloody mortgage to go on a date these days, amirite fellas?
@Setanta O’Toole: No. A walk on a beach is free.
@Setanta O’Toole: especially on valentines
Journalists noticed an empty seat is an otherwise packed stadium for a derby and got curious. They asked the man next to it did he know why ?
“Oh, it was for my wife”
“She couldn’t make it to the match ?”
“Unfortunately she died”
” So sorry to hear that, very sad. You should have brought a friend to share the the experience, no ; maybe ?”
“No, I couldn’t do that ; they’re all at the Funeral.”
@offside again: ah the auld ones are….. the auld ones!!
This website is serious garbage lads, my goodness.
@Carl Valderrama: Took you more than 6 months to realise that?.
Ah ha ha….all the perpetually single blokes with lots to say. Hope you all got some Nivea hand-cream for Valentine’s.
I meant to tell her Darling when I look into your eyes time just simply stands still but I stumbled at the last minute and said jaysus your face would only stop a bleedin clock.
@Róisín Flemping Bunt-Himmler: Travellers have influence?
@Róisín Flemping Bunt-Himmler: Which Wards are they?
She was good from far …….but yet far from good!
Love is in the air….. apparently
In the words of Donald Trump: What a st##d question!
@Andrew Kenny: st###d
@gav0kelly: flatulence, that’s why the smellies are at it again
@gav0kelly: Did you know county councils have a caravan loan scheme specially for travellers.
If their just friends
@Francisco O brien: You typed four words and still managed to get the grammar wrong.
What’s actually mad at the moment is the amount of lads I know that don’t want to get in relationships is getting more common and by that I don’t mean staying single sleeping around. Just avoiding contact with women altogether and having peace of mind and freedom very surprised by the trend that’s growing now.
My husband and myself still go on dates after 34 years of marriage. We make an effort to dress well and have dinner out once a month. It’s important to still make an effort for each other.
If in relationship for long time love each other going to find time to do stiff and so shouldn’t the once off rip of costs of valentine’s day. As know especially in hospitality sector ripoed off on ordinary day. Love love but we usually go out week before or something valentine’s day is money racket
@Róisín Flemping Bunt-Himmler: No wonder insurance companies riddle us.
Nonsense carry on, she should have been barred.
How on earth can you be in a committed relationship and still be shopping around? Catch a grip.!!!
Anything to stipe her from cooking!
@Gavin Smartr: stop
@Kieran Conroy: yeah. Get with it. Date r.pe jokes are where it’s at.
@Alan: apologies. Reply was to Larry Smiths hilarious joke.
@Alan: Exactly that. A JOKE. You wokists don’t have a sense of humour it seems.
@Kieran Conroy: That’s incorrect. Using the made-i up word ‘wokists’ is hilarious. Hilariously stu pid.
@Jack Hayes: Are you offended Jack? Oh dear, you appear to be a fully paid up member of the wokist club…
Yes. It’s called a date night.
have your say