Martin announces new Fianna Fáil front bench

FIANNA FÁIL leader Micheál Martin has said he expects “constructive, robust performances” from his newly announced, all-male front bench.

Mr Martin yesterday handed every member of his 20-strong parliamentary party a spokesman’s role, with Cllr Jim Callaghan remaining on as legal adviser.

Promising “a balance of experience with fresh perspectives” from his team, the Fianna Fáil leader said he was taking on the role of spokesman on Northern Ireland, with Brian Lenihan as deputy leader and finance spokesman.

The new line-up contains sweeping changes from Mr Martin’s last front bench, which was appointed only two months ago, shortly after he became party leader. Ten of these appointees, including deputy leader Mary Hanafin, failed to win a seat in February’s general election.

Addressing the fact that he had no female TDs to appoint, Mr Martin said this was the decision of the electorate. “The people have spoken and we are where we are.” Asked why he had not waited until after the Seanad elections to appoint the front bench, he said he planned to make further appointments for newer policy areas and to redress the gender imbalance once these elections were over.

Mr Martin said he was disappointed with the Government’s performance, claiming it was “all about spin and optics” so far.

It was time for the Government to get out of election mode and down to substantive work, he said. “They were well aware for two years in advance about the severity of economic and banking crisis. They overdid it in terms of cynicism and electioneering and have a lot of hostages to fortune.”

Along with Mr Lenihan, the key financial posts in the new front bench have gone to Michael McGrath, spokesman for public expenditure and financial sector reform, and Seán Fleming, who now has responsibility for public-sector reform. Willie O’Dea, meanwhile, has copperfastened his return to the top echelons of the party with his appointment to the brief of enterprise, jobs and innovation.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl remains as chief whip but has also been assigned to mark Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore in foreign affairs and trade. Niall Collins is spokesman for environment, Dara Calleary for justice, Billy Kelleher for health and Michael Moynihan for agriculture.

Other former ministers on the front bench include Éamon Ó Cuív (communications) and Brendan Smith (education).

Former taoiseach Brian Cowen’s brother Barry, a first-time TD, has been assigned social protection, while two other newcomers, Charlie McConalogue and Robert Troy, have been appointed spokesmen for children and arts respectively.

The remaining posts are Timmy Dooley (transport), Séamus Kirk (horticulture and rural affairs), and Michael Kitt (housing, planning and Gaeltacht affairs).

Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinness is spokesman on the small business regulatory framework and is the party’s nominee to chair the Public Accounts Committee, which usually goes to the Opposition.