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Fianna Fáil / Twitter.@MichealMartinTD confirms our front bench for the 32nd Dáil. Further details here: https://t.co/nBqYPOmXKW pic.twitter.com/VmXnqmSpJt
— Fianna Fáil (@fiannafailparty) May 18, 2016
FIANNA FÁIL HAS announced its front bench for 2016 – and though there are many familiar faces, there are some fresh ones too.
Here’s the full list:
“I think we played a central role in creating an opportunity for a new approach to politics, as reflected this week in the Dáil in relation to the bill on variable mortgage interest rates. So we want to play a very constructive role in the new Dáil and the new Seanad,” said party leader Micheál Martin this afternoon.
He described the front bench team as “diverse”, saying it blends “experience with newly-elected TDs” . He added that some positions are in certain key areas that currently demand particular attention – like mental health and defence.
He said that he has adopted the position that anyone who serves as chair on a committee will not be on the front bench. The chairpersons will be nominated in the next week or two.
The party has more than double the TDs that it had back in 2011, which means greater competition within the parliamentary party, said Martin, who added that spokespersons will have to prove themselves.
“There will be opportunities for everyone in the parliamentary party to carve out a niche for themselves,” he said.
Notable changes to the front bench include Jim O’Callaghan – who was involved in the talks on government formation – moving into Justice, a role formerly held by Niall Collins. Collins is now the party’s spokesperson for jobs.
Instead of an all-male representation, there are now four women across the Dáil and Seanad in the new front bench.
The party has also split the spokespersons on rural affairs and Dublin, something that may appeal to the electorate outside of the capital.
Missing names include Colm Keaveney, who lost his seat in the recent election, and Sean Ó Fearghail, who is now the Ceann Comhairle.
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There’s tragedy in life like the death of a child .Things never get back to the way they were. RIP to all those who died. Unimaginable heartache for their families …
Thank you for changing the headline. Those four deaths are equally tragic and all four were in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s unfair to think the family of the little girl is hurting more than the families of the three men. RIP to all of them.
Hi Theresa, it wasn’t intended for the three men to be ‘treated like they didn’t matter’. They were mentioned in the excerpt just below the original headline.
I know they were aoife but every death is tragic and should be treated equally. You mentioned them but didn’t feel their death was as tragic.
Hi Theresa, it’s incorrect to say I didn’t feel their death was as tragic. They were not in the headline but were in the subheading right under the headline, and also in the first line of the piece.
I understand your concern of course, and did change the headline, but it’s not fair to make an assumption about what I do or do not feel about these men’s deaths.
Why weren’t they in the headline? Can you explain your reason to give them a little mention?
relax Theresa, she has already clarified.
Sounds reminiscent of the incident in Scotland….
Four people died here so I don’t get the focus on one person. Your headline is off side.
Have you got kids Theresa because losing a 4 year old is cruel hence the headline focusing on the loss of the kids life who was really just beginning life, think before you comment would be my advice to you
Those three men might have children who are now without a father. Grief is not just for parents. I personally find the story one sided and the three men just added like they didn’t matter. It’s just how I see it.
Give it a rest will ya. There’s always one person who can manage to be offended by everything
Why are arguing about whose death is more tragic? Have a bit of compassion and think before you type.
RIP to the four people here, I hope and pray the grandmother recovers. My thoughts are with the families left behind :(
Horrific,I remember something similar happening on the long mile road many years ago when a container fell off a lorry.
How desperately sad for the families of the bereaved.
Theresa untwist your knickers
What were the ages of the men?
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