Daly tipped for junior ministry today

Speculation is rising that Roscommon/Galway TD Martin Daly could be in line for a junior ministry.

The Ballygar resident was elected, at the first time of asking, for Fianna Fáil in the three-seater constituency in the general election before Christmas.

It's believed that Daly could be appointed as a Minister of State today, when the Taoiseach makes the announcement of his junior ministers.

It's likely, should he get the nod as a Minister of State, that Daly would be given a role in the Department of Health, given his medical background.

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach is also expected to confirm the appointment of Longford/Westmeath TD Kevin 'Boxer' Moran as a Minister of State.

Deputy Moran, an independent member of the Dáil, will be made Minister of State at the Department of Finance with responsibility for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief – the same post he previously held between 2017 and 2020

There is set to be a record 23 junior ministers appointed, with the immigration portfolio, and the responsibility for asylum seekers and Ukrainain refugees, being removed from a senior ministry (it was held by Roderic O'Gorman as Minister for Integration in the last Government) to a junior minister.

A number of other new Minister of State positions will be created also, including with responsibilities for energy and the marine.

Longford/Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy has expressed his interest in a junior ministerial role, and while his name has been mentioned in Leinster House dispatches in recent days it's not clear, at this stage, whether he will be included.