Simon Harris to take on justice minister role

Simon Harris

Mr Harris was appointed to the role on Saturday as part of the government reshuffle in addition to being reappointed to his existing role as minister for further and higher education, research, innovation and science.

Mrs McEntee, who gave birth last week, will return as minister for justice when she returns from maternity leave in the summer, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told TDs. She was reappointed as minister without portfolio.

In an interview with Newstalk, Mr Harris said he will take the justice brief “extremely seriously”.

Meanwhile, Paschal Donohoe has been appointed as minister of public expenditure, National Development Plan delivery and reform, replacing Michael McGrath, who becomes the new finance minister.

Mr Donohoe will face calls from the barristers’ profession to commit to fee restoration for those practising criminal law on behalf of the State.