GALWAYS ONLY JUNIOR MINISTER STAYING PUT UNLESS TAOISEACH DECIDES OTHERWISE

Date Published: 14-Jan-2009

Galway's only junior minister Micheál Kitt says it's up to the Taoiseach to decide if he should give up his ministerial position. The Galway East TD is Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, with special responsibility for local services.Speaking to Galway Bay FM News today, Minister Kitt admitted that in the context of the Dail reform he could see how there would be a case for reducing the number of Junior Ministers but said that was an easy answer.When asked if he would follow the example of Junior Ministers Sean Power and Martin Mansergh and offer to stand down for the good of the country, Micheál Kitt replied that "it was up to the Taoiseach, it was in his gift and he will abide by whatever Brian Cowen decides". Minister Kitt added that being a Junior Minister was "a very honourable position" and said his department is "a very busy one".