O'Sullivan: I will be heard

Newly-appointed super junior minister Jan O’Sullivan has pledged to have her voice heard in Cabinet despite not having the right to vote.

The Labour TD for Limerick City, who was appointed to the position vacated last month by rebel Willie Penrose, dismissed the idea that she will have little power to influence government policy.

“Being at the table gives me more opportunity to have my voice there when decisions are being made,” said Ms O’Sullivan.

Fellow Labour TD Joe Costello will take up Ms O’Sullivan’s position as junior minister within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Dublin Central representative, who masterminded President Michael D Higgins campaign, will have responsibility for trade and development.

Mr Costello said he was both delighted and honoured to be appointed to the role.

“The world would be one’s oyster,” he said.

The appointments have been made in order to replace Longford-Westmeath TD Mr Penrose, who resigned from the Labour parliamentary party in November after the Cabinet ignored his protestations and decided to close Columb Barracks in Mullingar.

The new Ministers said there was no danger of them jumping ship.

“We’re here for the long haul,” said Mr Costello.

“We were elected to Government and we are part of the coalition Government.”

As the so-called “Super Junior”, Ms O’Sullivan will sit at the Cabinet table but will not have the right to vote.

“I don’t have voting rights but I certainly will be involved in all decisions in Cabinet,” she said.

“My understanding is that decisions are made and everybody’s voice is heard. I would expect that I will be contributing to the decision-making progress.”

Ms O’Sullivan will take up her predecessor’s housing portfolio. She said tackling homelessness will be her main priority.

“I don’t think anybody should be in a position where they don’t have a home of their own,” she said.

Ms O’Sullivan added that regeneration and supporting homeowners struggling to pay their mortgages were other areas she would focus on.

Both ministers said they were looking forward to helping Ireland recover from its economic collapse – a job they are aware will be difficult.

“There is obviously a lot of work to be done in the country,” said Ms O’Sullivan.

“The Government has started to get us out of the financial difficulties that were got into by the previous Government but there is a great deal of work to be done and quite a lot of difficult decisions to be made.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny congratulated both Ministers on their new appointments.

“I look forward to working with them both in the implementation of our Programme for Government in these challenging times,” said Mr Kenny.

“I know they will both bring a wealth of experience to their Ministerial portfolios as well as great energy for the tasks which lie ahead.”

Tánaiste and Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore, who has worked with Ms O’Sullivan in his Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said he is confident she will do a good job.

“I have worked alongside Jan in my own department since the formation of Government where she has led a number of successful aid and trade missions,” said Mr Gilmore.

“I know she is looking forward to taking up her new role as Minister of State for Housing and Planning and to taking a seat at the Cabinet table.

“Likewise I am looking forward to working alongside Joe.”

Meanwhile, homeless charity Focus Ireland said it welcomed Ms O’Sullivan’s appointment.

Chief executive Joyce Loughnan said appointing someone with responsibility for housing is a recognition that Ireland is in the middle of a housing crisis.

“With waiting lists of almost 100,000 and a similar number at risk of losing their homes due to mortgage and rent arrears, Focus Ireland had stressed the importance of having a voice for people who are homeless at the cabinet table,” added Ms Loughnan.