Sinn Féin TD for Donegal Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has been appointed Sinn Féin’s Chief Whip in the Dáil.
As part of the role, Mac Lochlainn will attend Sinn Féin’s frontbench meetings.
Commenting on the promotion, Mac Lochlainn said he was “honoured”.
“Our team in Leinster House will be the most effective opposition that this State has ever seen and we will continue to work hard for our communities and stand up for workers and families in the time ahead,” said Deputy Mac Lochlainn.
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD announced the party’s frontbench team today.
Deputy McDonald said: “New government Ministers will have to be on their toes and on top of their briefs because they will be matched by a very energetic, very determined Sinn Féin leading the opposition.
“We will hold the government to account, bring forward solutions and continue championing the change that so many people want. I am very proud of our new frontbench team and the fact that we have strong representation from rural Ireland, as well as our cities.
“Sinn Féin will provide constructive and critical opposition to this government. We will hold them to account, working with other parties in the opposition to do so.
“An effective opposition can achieve change by engaging constructively to bring forward solutions and force the government to act. The strong and competent team that I lead is committed to doing this at every opportunity.
“We will stand up for workers and families on the issues that matter. This means rebuilding the economy with decent work for decent pay at its core, as well as delivering affordable housing, a single-tier health system, public childcare and restoring the pension age to sixty-five.”
Deputy MacDonald continued: “We will work for a United Ireland; as the health and economic challenges posed by Covid-19 and Brexit have starkly exposed that an all-island approach is simply common sense.
“Ireland faces big challenges in the months ahead and we will be playing our part in delivering the change that is needed.”
