The government of the 33rd Dáil was unveiled this evening, as reported here, and already there has been a strong reaction online from West of the Shannon, with Connacht unrepresented among the 15 voting members.
The Government of the 33rd Dáil: pic.twitter.com/D4jHcxqp3W
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) June 27, 2020
Darra Calleary (Mayo/FF) will attend full cabinet meetings in his capacity as chief whip, as will Hildegarde Naughten (FG/Galway West) as one of two “Super Junior” ministers, however neither will be permitted to vote or are considered full members of the government.
The appointment of Meath TD Helen McEntee, who is married to Roscommon native Paul Hickey, is a small crumb of comfort in these parts, and meant little in places like Galway and Mayo, where there were high hopes for Anne Rabbitte and Calleary, among others.
The immediate reaction online was one of huge disappointment, as natives of the western province began to fear for the prospects of any economic recovery getting shared beyond the banks of the Shannon.
Is it possible, is it possible, is it possible??? that there is no senior minister from #Connacht and #Donegal . No it cannot be possible, it can’t be @RTENewsPaulC @gavreilly @thejournal_ie
— Marian Harkin (@MarianHarkin) June 27, 2020
From a West of #Ireland perspective, I’m extremely disappointed that #Mayo & Donegal now has no sitting Senior Minister. #Connacht & outside of Tarmonbarry has been forgotten about! #Dail #FiannaFail #PFG
#FineGael— L. NíHéineacháin (@LaobhaoiseNihE) June 27, 2020
The WDC is a statutory body that was set up to promote both social and economic development in the Western Region (Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway, and Clare) if Government can’t appoint a Minister from there we’re in bother!
— Hugh Lynn (@lthugh) June 27, 2020
New Government with a bow to Cromwell – To Hell or to Connacht.
West of Country just doesn’t register. With Co-vid recovery looks like a bleak few years ahead.
— Enda Mc Gearty (@EndaMcGearty) June 27, 2020
And if I’m correct, NO senior minister from Connacht or Donegal. So the most vulnerable part of the country left without a voice at cabinet. Great work lads. https://t.co/1SVfsfZoxh
— MáireT (@MaireTNC) June 27, 2020
