John Callinan succeeds Martin Fraser as Ireland's top civil servant

Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath confirmed Mr Callinan will be paid at the normal rate of €215,000 and not at the €300,000 salary granted to Robert Watt

John Callinan (right) in 2008 with then-Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

John Callinan has been named as the new Secretary-General to the Government, the country’s top civil service position, the Irish Examiner can reveal.

He succeeds Martin Fraser who has been in the position since 2011 but is to take up the post of Irish Ambassador to the UK, based in London in September.