Dubliners feature heavily in Soc Dems revamp

With 10 TDs to their name following November’s general election, the Social Democrats have rolled the dice with a new team of spokespeople.

Announcing the new line-up, Cian O’Callaghan (who has a new role as the party’s finance spokesperson) said “today’s announcement means that the actions of each minister, in this new government, are being closely examined and interrogated.”

Getting a dig in at the new government and their lack of women in high-profile roles, O’Callaghan said “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.”

“In any democracy, it is imperative that a strong Opposition is in place to hold government to account,” the Dublin Bay North TD said.

“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.”

Dubliners feature heavily in the new line-up; as mentioned, O’Callaghan is now the party’s financial spokesperson, with his former brief of housing and local government going to Dublin North-West TD Rory Hearne.

Dublin Central TD Gary Gannon will now serve as the party’s spokesperson on justice, migration and home affairs.

Dublin Rathdown TD Sineád Gibney will wear many hats; her portfolio now includes public expenditure, infrastructure, public service reform, digitalisation, defence, international affairs and trade along with enterprise, tourism and employment.

Dublin South Central TD Jen Cummins is the new party spokesperson on education along with research, innovation and science.

Party leader Holly Cairns will now serve as the party spokesperson on disability; during coalition talks, the party demanded a senior disability role at Cabinet, but neither Fianna Fáil nor Fine Gael were willing to engage with the party on the topic leading to the party withdrawing from talks.