Rory Hearne takes housing as Social Democrats announce spokespeople

(Left to right) Aidan Farrelly, Padraig Rice, Jennifer Whitmore, Deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan, Gary Gannon, Sinead Gibney, Rory Hearne, and Eoin Hayes at the Social Democrats press briefing at Leinster House today. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

Housing lecturer Rory Hearne will take over as the Social Democrats' housing spokesperson, the party has confirmed.

Deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan has been the party's spokesperson on the issue and has been widely praised for his knowledge and grasp of the subject. 

However, following Mr Hearne's election in November, it was announced on Thursday that the Maynooth University lecturer — who has written a book on housing policy — will take over the brief.

Mr O'Callaghan, who is leading the party while Holly Cairns is on maternity leave, announced the party’s new spokespeople on Thursday.

Some of the party's 10 TDs will take on multiple briefs, with Sinead Gibney responsible for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; Defence, International Affairs and Trade; Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. 

First-time Cork South Central TD Padraig Rice will take on Health, which was the former portfolio of party co-founder Róisín Shortall, who retired at the last election. Another Cork TD, Cork East's Liam Quaide will take the social protection brief.

The full list of Social Democrats spokespeople is:

• Party leader and Disability: Holly Cairns; 
• Deputy Leader and Finance: Cian O’Callaghan; 
• Justice, Homes Affairs and Migration: Gary Gannon; 
• Climate, Environment, Energy and Transport; Agriculture, Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, and the Marine: Jennifer Whitmore;
• Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Rory Hearne; 
• Health: Pádraig Rice; 
• Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; Defence, International Affairs and Trade; Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Sinéad Gibney; 
• Social Protection, Rural and Community Development; Mental Health: Liam Quaide; 
• Children and Equality; Youth; Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport: Aidan Farrelly; 
• Education; Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Jen Cummins.

Mr O'Callaghan said the additional TDs will allow his party to "hold the government to account".

“At the last election, the Social Democrats received an increased mandate and we now have an enlarged parliamentary party with which to hold the government to account. Our team of 10 TDs, 40% of whom are women, have hit the ground running and are already working hard in their communities and holding the government to account.

“Today’s announcement will build on that work and ensure that the actions of each minister, in this new government, are being closely examined and interrogated. This is incredibly important. In any democracy, it is imperative that a strong Opposition is in place to hold government to account.

This government has gotten off to a very bad start. It has done a deal with Michael Lowry, attempted to erode Opposition speaking time and has failed to prioritise gender equality.

“The Social Democrats will stand firmly against any attempts to diminish or stymie the role of the Opposition in the Dáil. We will be a strong voice for accountability, equality and sustainability.

“Our role will be constructive — robustly holding this Government to account while also proposing alternative solutions to the many problems this country faces.”