The Social Democrats will be a strong voice for accountability, equality and sustainability
Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan has today announced the party’s new spokespeople.
“At the last election, the Social Democrats received an increased mandate and we now have an enlarged parliamentary party with which to hold the government to account.
“Our team of 10 TDs, 40 percent of whom are women, have hit the ground running and are already working hard in their communities and holding the government to account.
“Today’s announcement will build on that work and ensure that the actions of each minister, in this new government, are being closely examined and interrogated.
“This is incredibly important. In any democracy, it is imperative that a strong Opposition is in place to hold government to account.
“This government has gotten off to a very bad start. It has done a deal with Michael Lowry, attempted to erode Opposition speaking time and has failed to prioritise gender equality.
“The Social Democrats will stand firmly against any attempts to diminish or stymie the role of the Opposition in the Dáil. We will be a strong voice for accountability, equality and sustainability.
“Our role will be constructive – robustly holding this Government to account while also proposing alternative solutions to the many problems this country faces.”
The new parliamentary party spokespeople are:
Party leader and Disability: Holly Cairns
Deputy Leader and Finance: Cian O’Callaghan
Justice, Homes Affairs and Migration: Gary Gannon
Climate, Environment, Energy and Transport; Agriculture, Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, and the Marine: Jennifer Whitmore
Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Rory Hearne
Health: Pádraig Rice
Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; Defence, International Affairs and Trade; Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Sinéad Gibney
Social Protection, Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht; Mental Health: Liam Quaide
Children and Equality; Youth; Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Aidan Farrelly
Education; Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Jen Cummins