Pádraig MacLochlainn and Pearse Doherty retain roles in Sinn Féin reshuffle

The leader of the Sinn Féin party has today announced the frontbench team that will lead the party into the next general election with Deputy Pearse Doherty remaining as finance spokesperson and Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn continuing as Sinn Féin Chief Whip and spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine.

Speaking in relation to Deputy Doherty, Mary Lou McDonald said: "He has shown that he will be the finance minister that ensures a government for change delivers on priority areas such housing and health.”

Describing today's reshuffle, Ms McDonald said: “This is the team that will lead Sinn Féin into the next General Election – a team full of talent, experience and ambition and bursting with the energy to deliver; a team that is ready to deliver change in government.

“As we enter the last quarter of this government, it is clear that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are out of ideas and out of ambition. The longer they remain in office the more damage they will do. That is why we need change and a General Election as soon as possible.”

Ten changes have been made to the team including Sorca Clarke and Pa Daly coming onto the frontbench for the first time where they will take on the Education and Justice portfolios. Solicitor Pa Daly brings his extensive experience to the Justice brief. and Sorca Clarke was an outstanding spokesperson on Defence.

Rose Conway-Walsh takes on the Public Expenditure and Reform portfolio having previously served on the Oireachtas Finance Committee. Mairéad Farrell will take on the Higher Education, Innovation and Science brief.   

Matt Carthy will bring a wealth of experience from his time as an MEP in the European Parliament to the Foreign Affairs portfolio, and Claire Kerrane will take on the Agriculture brief. Darren O’Rourke will continue to hold the Environment and Climate brief while Martin Kenny takes on Transport and Communications.

"We believe that Youth and Integration need a standalone focus and John Brady will bring his considerable knowledge of these areas to this brief. Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire moves to the Social Protection portfolio from Education where he had been a strong advocate on behalf of students and parents. Louise O’Reilly, Kathleen Funchion and Imelda Munster will remain in their respective briefs of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Childcare and Tourism and Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, Media.     

“David Cullinane as Health spokesperson and Eoin Ó Broin as Housing spokesperson have led in setting out clear detailed alternatives policies to sort the health and housing crises," she said.