Burke takes on additional Cabinet responsibilities

The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said his focus to deliver the “objectives set out in the Programme for Government” will continue as he takes on significant additional responsibilities at Cabinet level.

Minister Burke has agreed to temporarily assume the portfolio of Minister Patrick O'Donovan while his colleague recovers from illness.

The move will see the Enterprise Minister take charge of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport alongside his existing role.

The additional responsibilities were agreed at the request of Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris.

Minister O'Donovan remains a Cabinet Minister without portfolio during his recovery. The Limerick-based Minister was taken to University Hospital Limerick last month after falling ill at an EU event in Limerick. He has previously spoken openly about being diagnosed with epilepsy.

The FG political representative paid tribute to the Tánaiste for his continued backing and thanked Minister Burke for agreeing to take on his departmental responsibilities temporarily.

The Longford Westmeath TD said he agreed to assume the functions of the department yesterday afternoon and wished his Cabinet colleague well.

"I would like to wish my good friend and colleague Minister Patrick O'Donovan a speedy recovery, and I am certain he will be back in his role before long,” he said in a statement, "My focus in both portfolios will be on delivering the objectives set out in the Programme for Government.”

The arrangement represents an expansion of Minister Burke's ministerial workload, with the Mullingar-based politician now overseeing two major Government briefs during his colleague's absence.