Fianna Fáil's Dara Calleary has been named as the new Agriculture Minister.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin made the announcement in the Dáil today, following the sacking of Barry Cowen last night.
Deputy Cowen was removed just 17 days into his tenure after refusing to give further public statements on his 2016 drink driving offence.
Dara Calleary is the deputy leader of Fianna Fáil, and had initially been appointed as Government Chief Whip.
As part of the small reshuffle, Jack Chambers will take over as Chief Whip, while Seán Fleming will become a junior minister at the Department of Finance.
Mr Martin told the Dáil: "There are of course many challenges facing agriculture - Brexit, COVID-19, climate change, the future CAP negotiations...
"I know that Dara will be a very effective minister - he will work hard and diligently at implementing the ambitious commitments in the programme for government."
There had been some surprise when Deputy Calleary was not given a senior Cabinet position when the new Government was formed last month - with the Mayo TD himself saying he was "disappointed".
Speaking after his appointment as Chief Whip, he told Midwest Radio: "I had hoped to lead a department, that's always been my ambition and it will happen, it will absolutely happen."
He said he had heard the voices of people annoyed that there is no senior minister for much of the west of Ireland - but pledged to "take that anger on and turn it into action".
