Social Democrats acting leader Cian O’Callaghan has today announced a change in spokespeople roles in the parliamentary party to reflect Oireachtas committee positions.
Deputy O’Callaghan said:
“Since the election, when the Social Democrats nearly doubled our number of TDs, our team has gotten straight to work – holding the government to account on a range of important issues.
“Now, after a prolonged delay from government, Oireachtas committees have finally been set up.
“As a result of this, there have been a number of changes to the spokespeople roles of some of our parliamentary party.
“Senator Patrica Stephenson, who sits on the Foreign Affairs and Trade committee, will take on the role of spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade.
“Patricia has a huge level of experience in this area. Before being elected to the Seanad, she spent almost a decade working in international development, including six years living in East Africa. Patricia is also a former EU diplomat, having worked for the EU delegation to Uganda in the governance and human rights department. Patricia is also one of the Irish delegates to the Council of Europe.
“Sinéad Gibney, who will sit on the Oireachtas Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, is taking over responsibilty for this portfolio.
“Sinéad also has significant experience in this area. Having spent eight years working in the tech sector, she is extremely familiar with how these companies operate. Reform of social media, and improving regulations placed on social media companies, will be a focus of her work on the committee. Sinéad’s experience as chief commissioner, for the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, also means that she has a huge degree of relevant expertise in digital rights, language rights, culture, AI and a range of other relevant areas.”
The updated list of parliamentary party spokespeople roles is:
Holly Cairns: Party leader;
Cian O’Callaghan: Deputy Leader and Finance; Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation;
Gary Gannon: Justice, Home Affairs and Migration;
Jennifer Whitmore: Climate, Environment, Energy and Transport; Agriculture, Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, and the Marine;
Rory Hearne: Housing, Local Government and Heritage;
Pádraig Rice: Health;
Sinéad Gibney: Enterprise, Tourism and Employment; Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport; Defence;
Liam Quaide: Social Protection, Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht; Mental Health; Disability;
Patricia Stephenson: Foreign Affairs and Trade;
Aidan Farrelly: Children and Equality; Youth;
Jen Cummins: Education; Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
15 May, 2025
Ends