Second secretary general for Kenny department in wake of Brexit

A new second secretary general has been appointed to the Department of the Taoiseach as part of the Government's post-Brexit measures.

John Callinan will lead a new division within the department to support Taoiseach Enda Kenny in his work on EU, Northern Ireland, British-Irish and International affairs.

Mr Callinan has been head of the department’s economic and international policy division since 2011.

In that position he worked on Ireland’s exit from the Troika programme and in the implementation of the Action Plan for Jobs.

His appointment is part of a series of actions by Mr Kenny following Britain’s vote to leave the EU.

Strengthening of EU policy role

This includes the strengthening of the EU policy role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as well as the strengthening of other key departments and agencies.

Mr Callinan was responsible for Northern Ireland policy and British-Irish relations from 2011 to 2015.

He previously served as head of the EU division in the Department of the Taoiseach.

He has also worked at the European Commission and at the Revenue Commissioners.