Seán Haughey, son of former taoiseach Charles Haughey and grandson of Seán Lemass, was appointed as Minister of State yesterday in place of Síle de Valera, a granddaughter of another Fianna Fáil taoiseach, who stepped down from her post at the Department of Education and Science last Friday.
Mr Haughey, a TD for Dublin North Central for 14 years, threatened to leave politics when he was passed over for promotion at the beginning of the year in favour of Meath TD Mary Wallace.
His elevation to the post as Minister of State with responsibility for adult education, youth affairs and educational disadvantage was announced by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the beginning of Dáil business at 2.30pm yesterday.
Mr Haughey said later that he had no prior indication from Mr Ahern that he was going to get the position.
"I got a message to go to see him at 2 o'clock in his office. It was the first I knew I was getting the job. It is a great honour and I am looking forward to the challenge," said Mr Haughey.
He was adamant that no promises were made to him after he was passed over the last time a junior ministerial appointment came up and he did not know until the last moment that he was getting the position.
"I was nervous. The Taoiseach could have asked any number of people to take the position so I was nervous right up to the end," said Mr Haughey.
He added that the Taoiseach was his own master in relation to appointments. There was a clear pattern in relation to ministerial appointments with people being chosen in the light of service and experience.
"He told me that I will have a brand new budget from January 1st. I am looking forward to working with Mary Hanafin and would like to carry on with the work done by my predecessor, Síle de Valera," he said.
Asked what his father would have thought about the appointment, he replied: "It is five months tomorrow since he passed away. I would prefer not to talk about it. It is a personal matter and I am looking to the future and not the past."
As to how he intended to celebrate the appointment, Mr Haughey said that he had learned a lesson in politics that it was not wise to anticipate things. He added that his seven-year-old son was taking part in a nativity play in his national school yesterday evening. I am going to see him and will be back in the Dáil later as it is sitting until 11pm."
Labour Senator Derek McDowell, who shares the same constituency, congratulated Mr Haughey.
"Seán is a dedicated and hard-working representative for the people of the area and I have had a very good relationship with him over the years. I know he will bring these qualities to his new ministerial role," he said.
