An Taoiseach Enda Kenny has announced Cork TD Michael Creed as his Minister for Marine. Creed also takes on Agriculture and Food as part of his ministerial portfolio.
The appointment comes following a days of tense negotiations between Fine Gael and Independent TDs over a programme for government.
There will be a general disappointment in marine circles that despite the encouraging signs surrounding a nine–strong department group behind the Government's recent Our Ocean Wealth Strategy, a dedicated marine department did not surface in the new Cabinet.
Creed was first co-opted to Cork County Council in 1987. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 1989.
He has held several positions on the Fine Gael front-bench including; Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 2007 – 2010, Health 1989 – 1993, Youth & Sport in 1993-1994 and Education; Arts, Culture & the Gaeltacht in 1994. He was the Chairperson of Cork County Council for the period 2005/06.
A Macroom native Creed is married to Sinead and has three children and takes over from out going Minister Simon Coveney who has now taken over the Housing and Local Government portfolio.
