In a business case supporting the purchase of a €53 million Dassault Falcon 6X jet, officials said buying it would actually save the taxpayer money.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Jim O’Callaghan are among the major promotions.

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is among the major promotions to Cabinet.

In what is an unusual move, the Department of Public Expenditure has asked a number of departments to submit supplementary estimates for the year, a move usually reserved for November.

Minister for Finance Michael McGrath visited Belfast on Tuesday following a major funding announcement for projects in Northern Ireland.