Politics

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin to be appointed Minister for Drugs

Government reinstating post following concerns over issue

Aodhán Ó’Ríordáin, a Dublin Bay North deputy, is already a junior Minister at the Department of Justice and at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. File photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times
Aodhán Ó’Ríordáin, a Dublin Bay North deputy, is already a junior Minister at the Department of Justice and at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. File photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times
Fiach Kelly
Wed Apr 22 2015 - 15:55

Labour TD and junior Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin is to be made Minister of State with responsibility for drugs, in addition to his existing roles.

There have been calls in recent months for the Government to reinstate the position of Minister for Drugs, a post which existed under previous governments and which is concerned with substance misuse strategies.

Mr Ó'Ríordáin, a Dublin Bay North deputy, is already a junior Minister at the Department of Justice and at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

It is expected his appointment will be ratified by an incorporeal Cabinet meeting on Wednesday afternoon.