Demoted Hanafin 'delighted' with new Cabinet role

Former Social Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin insisted tonight that she was genuinely delighted with her shift to a rebranded Tourism, Culture and Sport portfolio as part of the Cabinet rejig.

Dismissing suggestions the ministerial brief – vacated by Martin Cullen over health reasons – was regarded a governmental departure lounge, the Dun Laoghaire TD said she was not “overly surprised” with the move.