Fianna Fáil ministers share out jobs ‘in-house’ — with a nod to Fine Gael

James Browne, Cabinet Minister for Housing and Local Government. Photo: Liam McBurney

Fianna Fáil junior minister Niamh Smyth has hired former party TD and senator Shane Cassells as her special adviser.

Meanwhile, Housing and Local Government Minister James Browne from Wexford has appointed another Wexford politician to the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels — the first time the county has been represented at that level.

New Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has hired PR executive Suzy Coogan as his key adviser. Ms Coogan has a long history of involvement with Fianna Fáil, and previously worked for party veteran and Limerick deputy Willie O’Dea when he was defence minister.

Niamh Smyth, junior minister with special responsibility for trade promotion, artificial intelligence and digital transformation, has hired former Meath West TD Shane Cassells who recently stood down from the Seanad.

Ms Smyth told the Sunday Independent:…