Taoiseach responds to criticism over Mayo TD's appointment controversy

Taoiseach Micheàl Martin has insisted his deputy leader and Government chief whip Dara Calleary will have a central role in the government.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, he responded to criticism that the Mayo TD was not appointed to a senior cabinet post.

He explained: "Dara is very experienced and I need a very experienced chief whip. 

"He will have additional responsibilities and former chief whips like Séamus Brennan and Mary Hanafin who went on to have stellar careers."

He further told the newspaper that the challenge facing the three leaders was that there was a limited number of portfolios.

"In the ones we got I wanted people who could hit the ground running," he added, in a reference to Deputy Stephen Donnelly, who was a surprise choice as Minister for Health.