Charlie Flanagan named as Fitzgerald’s successor as Justice Minister

Charlie Flanagan is Ireland’s new Justice Minister following new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s Cabinet reshuffle.

Mr Flanagan, a qualified solicitor who practised law for many years, was Fine Gael’s justice spokesperson before 2011 and takes over the role from Frances Fitzgerald.

Mr Varadkar told the Dáil: “The Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, will serve in the Department of Justice and Equality where his key tasks will be to continue to reduce crime, to pilot the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill through the Dáil and to drive reform and culture change in An Garda Síochána.”

Mr Flanagan was educated at University College Dublin and the Law Society of Ireland, and has published draft bills and amendments in a range of legislative areas, including competition law, corruption, white collar crime, fraud and bribery.

During his term as Foreign Minister, Mr Flanagan has been involved in pressing foreign governments on justice and human rights issues.

Finian McGrath was appointed as minister of state with special responsibility for disability issues in the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Health.