Cork doubles ministers’ tally with O’Keeffe post

CORK doubled its tally of senior ministers yesterday in Brian Cowen’s reshuffle.

Micheál Martin moved from enterprise to foreign affairs and was joined by party colleague Batt O’Keeffe who was elevated to a senior role.

Born in Mallow, Co Cork, in 1945, the former lecturer was awarded education in the reshuffle.

Succeeding Mary Hanafin, he will be expected to tackle thorny issues, including deciding on the type of care for children with autism as well as the growing list of schools needed.

Married with one son and three daughters, Mr O’Keeffe was first made a junior minister with responsibility for environmental protection in 2004 by Bertie Ahern. Last year, he was made junior minister again with responsibility for housing and urban renewal.

The new Education Minster said he was delighted with his new position but aware of key challenges.

“The building programme is obviously a very difficult one because when Mary Hanafin was there it was obvious there was insufficient funds to meet the demands.”

The second senior ministerial post for Cork was restoring the rightful balance, he said, that was there when Joe Walsh was agriculture minister.

Mr Martin was yesterday moved from enterprise, trade and employment to foreign affairs. While Mr Martin had been secretly holding out for the high-profiled position of finance, his new portfolio is still considered one of the plum portfolios.

The former secondary school teacher was first elected to the Dáil in 1989 and has held a number of positions, including education, health and enterprise.