Norma Foley – Fíanna Fáil TD for Kerry appointed as Minister for Education

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Norma Foley, Fianna Fail TD for Kerry, was last Saturday evening appointed by Taoiseach Micheál Martin as the new Minister for Education and subsequently received her seal of office from Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins at Dublin Castle.

Minister Foley said on her appointment: “It is a tremendous honour and privilege to become the first female Senior Minister from Kerry following my appointment as Minister for Education last weekend at Government buildings in Dublin and to secure a Cabinet position for The Kingdom.

“I am looking forward to getting on with the work of the new Government immediately and meeting the challenges we face in this sector with a positive and proactive approach on all matters.

She added that one of the particular challenges facing her in the new role is the reopening of schools as we journey through the current Covid-19 pandemic.

“I’m very keen that would happen. But I’m very keen that would happen as a consequence of engagement with all stakeholders and also acting on the very best public health advice available to us”, she said.

Ms Foley, a teacher until recently in Presentation Secondary School Tralee said she “values the expertise, talent and input of all the stakeholders in education and as Minister said her goal will be to work in a collaborative spirit of engagement.

Finally, she wished to place on record her gratitude to all who have taken the time to contact her through phone, email and social media in the past week wishing her all the best in the new position:

“Sincere thanks to all those who have sent lovely messages of support across all the various platforms in recent days, I’ve been overwhelmed by the wave of support and really appreciate it. I acknowledge the huge responsibility bestowed upon me but assure the people of Kerry that I will do my absolute best for our County and indeed our Country.