The Social Democrats has announced LGBT campaigner Brian Sheehan as its first general secretary.

Mr Sheehan has been executive director of Glen, the gay and lesbian equality network, since 2007. He was co-director of the Yes campaign during last year’s same-sex marriage referendum.

In a video message he said the Social Democrats is building a movement that "I think places at the heart of Ireland the values that define us as Irish people: the values of fairness, of justice, of equal citizenship.

“Together we can and will reshape politics so they’re based on the Social Democrats’ core principles of a progressive society, a vibrant economy and a politics that’s open and transparent.”

Appointments

In other appointments, former journalist and broadcaster Graham Clifford was made the party’s new communications director, succeeding Anne-Marie McNally who moves into the position of political director.

The Social Democrats has two TDs, Roisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy, as well as a number of councillors.

Earlier this month, Stephen Donnelly, one of the founders and co-leaders of the party, announced that he was leaving.