O'Rourke continues as Climate Spokesperson in SF reshuffle

Meath East TD, Darren O Rourke is to continue as Sinn Fein spokesperson on Climate and the Environment, as party leader, Mary Lou McDonald, announced a wide-ranging frontbench reshuffle.

“We believe that Climate and Transport should be taken as stand-alone portfolios. Therefore, Darren O’Rourke will continue to hold the Environment and Climate brief while Martin Kenny takes on Transport and Communications," she 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.”

Deputy O'Rourke said he was delighted to be continuing on the front bench and being part of the team to lead Sinn Fein into the next election.

"Environment and Climate are hugely important. Climate is the driver in so many areas ...agriculture, transport, business and I welcome the focus on that area. We are already working on plans for future policy development.

"While the government has put climate and transport together, Sinn Fein believes there have unique and separate focusses.

"Here in Meath I will continue to push our own public transport campaign, Meath on the Move, Navan Rail and improved public transport.

"I know Martin Kenny is well aware of our needs in Meath.

"I am looking forward to continuing in a front bench role and taking on the work ahead," he said.

Announcing the reshuffle, Deputy McDonald said; “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.

“Today I am setting out the team that will lead Sinn Féin into the next General Election. There are ten changes including Sorcha Clarke and Pa Daly coming onto the frontbench for the first time where they will take on the Education and Justice portfolios. Pa Daly will bring his extensive experience as solicitor to the Justice brief and Sorcha 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. Indicative of Sinn Féin’s plan for a step change in research and development to make it the driver for the next generation of jobs, Mairéad Farrell will take on the Higher Education, Innovation and Science brief bringing to that portfolio her experience of the Public Expenditure and Reform portfolio, as well her expertise in economics.

“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 bring a real personal passion for the future of the family farm to the Agriculture 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. Pádraig Mac Lochlainn will continue as Sinn Féin Chief Whip and spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine.

“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. Pearse Doherty has shown that he will be the Finance Minister that ensures a government for change delivers on priority areas such Housing and Health.”