McEntee moves to Foreign Affairs ahead of Ireland's EU presidency

Ann Casey

Published: Tue 18 Nov 2025, 2:33 PM

Last updated: Tue 18 Nov 2025, 2:55 PM

Meath East's Helen McEntee is set to step into the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, ahead of Ireland's take over of the EU presidency.

The current Minister for Education is moving to Foreign Affairs following the announcement today that Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, is to stand down from his role in Government.

Mr Donohoe will take up the second most senior position in the World Bank, as Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Office

Deputy McEntee, who is currently the Fine Gael party leader and Minister for Education, will move to Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence as party leader, Tanaiste, Simon Harris takes over as Finance Minister.

Minister McEntee said she was looking forward to her new role, although she had enjoyed working in the Department of Education.

She said Foreign Affairs was a fantastic department. "I spent three years working in it as a junior minister during Brexit."

She congratulated Mr Donohoe on his new role.

"I am delighted for him, but I am disappointed that he is leaving. There aren't many people who get offered jobs in the World Bank and I am very proud of him".

Deputy McEntee was appointed Minister for Education last January but served as Minister for Justice in the previous government and has Foreign Affairs experience having been the Junior Minister for European Affairs, under Leo Varadkar's premiership from 2017 and 2020, at a key period during Brexit negotiations.

She will be replaced in the Department of Education by former junior minister, Hildegarde Naughton.

Minister of State Emer Higgins has been confirmed as a ‘Super Junior’ minister sitting at Cabinet as Minister of State for Disability. Frankie Feighan will be Minister of State at Department of Public Expenditure with responsibility for public procurement, digitalisation and E-government.

Minister Donohoe is standing down today from his role in Government and will stand down as a TD for Dublin Central later this week.

Ireland takes over the EU presidency in July next year.