Sinn Féin Front Bench
Sinn Féin is the second largest political party in the Oireachtas and largest in Dáil Éireann. The Sinn Féin leader appoints a team of TDs and Senators to speak for the party on different issues. Their areas of responsibility broadly correspond to those of Government ministers.
Sinn Féin Front Bench
Following Micheál Martin's appointment as Taoiseach on 27 June 2020, Mary Lou McDonald became the second President of Sinn Féin and first woman to hold the de facto role of Leader of the Opposition.[1]
On 2 July 2020, Mary Lou McDonald announced the new frontbench team, including the roles of Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Aengus Ó Snodaigh who will be in attendance at front bench meetings.[2]
Front Bench spokespersons
| Portfolio | Name | Elected office | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leader of the Opposition President of Sinn Féin |
Mary Lou McDonald | TD for Dublin Central
|
2020– |
| Deputy Leader of Sinn Féin in the Dáil Spokesperson on Finance |
Pearse Doherty | TD for Donegal
|
2020– |
| Spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine | Matt Carthy | TD for Cavan–Monaghan
|
2020– |
| Spokesperson on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth | Kathleen Funchion | TD for Carlow–Kilkenny
|
2020– |
| Spokesperson on Environment, Climate and Communications | Darren O'Rourke | TD for Meath East
|
2020– |
| Spokesperson on Transport | |||
| Spokesperson on Rural and Community Development | Claire Kerrane | TD for Roscommon–Galway
|
2020– |
| Spokesperson on Social Protection | |||
| Spokesperson on Defence | John Brady | TD for Wicklow
|
2020– |
| Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs | |||
| Spokesperson on Education | Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire | TD for Cork South–Central
|
2020– |
| Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment | Louise O'Reilly | TD for Dublin Fingal
|
2020– |
| Spokesperson on Health | David Cullinane | TD for Waterford
|
2020– |
| Spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science | Rose Conway-Walsh | TD for Mayo
|
2020– |
| Spokesperson on Housing, Local Government and Heritage | Eoin Ó Broin | TD for Dublin Mid–West
|
2020– |
| Spokesperson on Justice | Pa Daly | TD for Kerry
|
2023- |
| Spokesperson on Tourism, Sport and Media | Imelda Munster | TD for Louth
|
2020– |
| Spokesperson on Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform | Mairéad Farrell | TD for Galway West
|
2020– |
| Spokesperson on Irish, the Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture | Aengus Ó Snodaigh | TD for Dublin South–Central
|
2020– |
Chief Whip
| Portfolio | Name | Elected office | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Whip | Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (In attendance at front bench meetings) |
TD for Donegal
|
2020– |
Junior spokespersons
On 7 July 2020, Sinn Féin announced the appointments of the new junior spokespeople as well as the
Deputy Whip and Councillor Liaison.[3]
| Portfolio | Name | Elected office | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
Deputy Whip Councillor Liaison Junior spokesperson on Local Government Reform |
Denise Mitchell | TD for Dublin Bay North
|
2020– |
| Junior spokesperson on Addiction, Recovery and Wellbeing (Drugs and Alcohol Strategy) | Thomas Gould | TD for Cork North–Central
|
2020– |
| Junior spokesperson on Climate justice | Lynn Boylan | Senator for Agricultural Panel | 2020– |
| Junior spokesperson on Communications and Broadband Strategy | Ruairí Ó Murchú | TD for Louth
|
2020– |
| Junior spokesperson on Community Development | Paul Donnelly | TD for Dublin West
|
2020– |
| Junior spokesperson on Defence | Sorca Clarke | TD for Longford–Westmeath
|
2020– |
| Junior spokesperson on Disability Rights and Carers | Pauline Tully | TD for Cavan–Monaghan
|
2020– |
| Junior spokesperson on Equality, Inclusion and Law Reform | Pa Daly | TD for Kerry
|
2020– |
| Junior spokesperson on Mental Health | Mark Ward | TD for Dublin Mid–West
|
2020– |
| Junior spokesperson on Older People | Patricia Ryan | TD for Kildare South
|
2020– |
| Junior spokesperson on Sport | Chris Andrews | TD for Dublin Bay South
|
2020– |
References
- ^ "Sinn Féin vows to be 'most effective Opposition ever'". RTÉ News. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
- ^ "Government will be matched by an energetic, determined Sinn Féin leading the opposition - Mary Lou McDonald TD". Sinn Féin. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
- ^ "The new junior spokespersons for @sinnfeinireland announced this evening". Twitter. Retrieved 7 July 2020.