Secretary General Feargal Ó Coigligh to Lead Department During O’Donovan’s Hospital Stay
Feargal Ó Coigligh, the secretary general of the Department of Communications, Culture and Sport, will assume the department’s duties while Minister Patrick O’Donovan remains hospitalized.
Patrick O’Donovan, the minister for communications, culture and sport, was taken to hospital following a health episode while hosting an informal gathering of EU telecommunications ministers in Limerick. Officials reported his condition as stable but indicated he will likely remain in care for some time. In accordance with a statutory delegation rule, secretary general Feargal Ó Coigligh will now discharge the department’s administrative responsibilities.
Deputy government spokesman confirmed that the department continues to operate normally and that further decisions will be made by the minister once he is able. Fine Gael colleague Peter Burke presented a cabinet memo in O’Donovan’s stead, and Minister of State Charlie McConalogue has been answering Dáil questions on the minister’s behalf. Tánaiste Simon Harris, also on paternity leave, affirmed that O’Donovan will retain his cabinet seat after recovery.
