Agriland understands that a ministerial vacancy at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is due to be filled this week.

The vacancy arose following Michael Healy-Rae's decision last month to resign as minister of state at the department over the government's handling of the fuel protests.

The independent Kerry TD made the shock announcement as the Dáil debated a motion of confidence in the government.

Healy-Rae said he believed "this government have left the people of Ireland down", adding that he would "be voting no confidence in the leader of the country".

Michael Healy-Rae had been appointed as Minister of State at DAFM with special responsibility for forestry, horticulture and farm safety in recognition of his support for the government.

DAFM

Last week, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed that the vacant ministerial position in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) will be filled.

However, he did not specify an exact timeframe of when those areas of responsibility in the department will be reallocated.

"They will be reallocated and that will happen in the next while," the Taoiseach said.

Agriland now understands that a new junior minister may be appointed by the Taoiseach this week, with Thursday (May 28) being mooted as a possible announcement date.

It is believed that the current chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food and Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West, Aindrias Moynihan is being tipped for the appointment.

There is also speculation that Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow–Kilkenny, Peter 'Chap' Cleere may then be given the committee chair position.

Dáil

Meanwhile, the two newly elected TDs following the weekend's by-elections have officially taken their seats in the Dáil today.

Seán Kyne from Fine Gael was elected as a TD for Galway West, while Daniel Ennis from the Social Democrats is now a TD for Dublin Central.

The by-election in Galway West took place to fill the vacancy left by President Catherine Connolly, who left the Dáil where she was an independent TD to pursue her ultimately successful bid for the Áras last year.

The Dublin Central by-election filled the seat vacated by Fine Gael TD and former minister for finance, Paschal Donohoe, who left the Dáil to take up a major role in the World Bank.