The former Daily Starpolitical correspondent John Downing has been appointed deputy Government Press Secretary.
Mr Downing (50) was appointed by the Green Party.
He was previously political editor of the Irish Examinerand European editor of the Irish Independentbased in Brussels from 1989 to 1999. Born in Limerick city, he also worked for The Irish Press, The Kerrymanand the Limerick Echoand is regular guest on political discussion programmes on radio and television.
He is married to RTE reporter Bethan Kilfoil, and has two children.
Mark Cotigan who was appointed to the same position by the Progressive Democrats during the last government will retain his position and both will work together under Government Press Secretary Gerry Howlin.
It is understood that Mr Howlin, who was a Fianna Fáil appointment, occupies the position on a temporary basis. He was the Taoiseach's programme manager in the last government.