The Government has appointed Mr Martin Fraser to be Secretary General to the Government and Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, with effect from August 1 2011.
Mr Fraser, who is the current Assistant Secretary to the department, will replace Dermot McCarthy who is retiring after ten years in the position. On his appointment, Mr Fraser will also become the Chairperson of the National Economic and Social Council.
The announcement came on the same day as Mr Brian Purcell was appointed to the post of Secretary General of the Department of Justice and Equality. His predecessor, Mr Sean Aylward is also retiring. Mr Purcell is currently the Director General of the Irish Prison Service.