Ann Phelan is meeting with the Secretary General at the Department of Agriculture today where she will be fully briefed on her new role as Minister of State for Rural Affairs.
She says she is really excited about it – Minister Phelan will be the first to hold the position.
The news of a Ministry in the constituency is being welcomed locally today given that Phil Hogan finished up as Environment Minister last week.
Seamus Pattison was the partys last Minister of State at the Dept of Social Welfare where he served for 3 years from 1983.
The former Ceann Comhairle has told KCLR news today that he ‘welcomes Ann Phelan’s appointment saying she has proved herself a very capable member of Dail Eireann since she was elected and he has no doubt she will serve the constituency in a very determined way’
