Fine Gael Front Bench
 | This article needs to beupdated.(September 2020) |
Fine Gaelis the third largestpolitical partyin theOireachtas.The Fine Gael leader appoints a team ofTDsandSenatorsto speak for the party on different issues. When Fine Gael was in opposition, the front bench areas of responsibility broadly corresponded to those of Government ministers. Fine Gael has been in Government since March 2011 and accordingly their front bench consists of the ministerial officeholders. In 2020 a number of non-ministerial office holders were appointed as spokespeople for policy areas where Fine Gael does not have a minister.
Fine Gael ministers
[edit]Government ministers
[edit]On 9 April 2024, six Fine Gael TDs were appointed to the 34th government of Ireland.
| Name | Elected office | Portfolio | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Harris | TD forWicklow | 2024– | |
| Heather Humphreys | TD forCavan–Monaghan |
| |
| Paschal Donohoe | TD forDublin Central | Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform | 2022– |
| Helen McEntee | TD forMeath East | Minister for Justice | 2020– |
| Peter Burke | TD forLongford–Westmeath | Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment | 2024– |
| Patrick O'Donovan | TD forLimerick County | Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science | 2024– |
Ministers of State
[edit]Fine Gael party spokespeople
[edit]Party spokespeople
[edit]On 22 July 2020, at a meeting of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party the Parliamentary Party chair, deputy chair, secretary and assistant secretary were elected.[1]
On 30 September 2020, Fine Gael Leader, Leo Varadkar, appointed a number TDs as party spokespeople covering policy areas in which the party does not have a minister. Their role is to support the Government, develop policy, speak in the Dáil and media and engage with interest groups in these areas on behalf of the party. In most cases, they are the lead Fine Gael member and convener on the relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee.[2]
| Name | Elected office | Portfolio | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Bruton | TD forDublin Bay North | Chair of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party | 2020– |
| Jennifer Carroll MacNeill | TD forDún Laoghaire | Deputy Chair of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party Spokesperson on Equality |
2020– 2020– |
| Alan Dillon | TD forMayo | Secretary of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party Spokesperson on Tourism and Sport |
2020– 2020– |
| Emer Higgins | TD forDublin Mid-West | Assistant Secretary of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party Spokesperson on Social Media and Fintech |
2020– 2020– |
| Colm Burke | TD forCork North-Central | Spokesperson on Health | 2020– |
| Ciaran Cannon | TD forGalway East | Spokesperson on Media, Arts and Culture | 2020– |
| Alan Farrell | TD forDublin Fingal | Spokesperson on Climate Action | 2020– |
| Neale Richmond | TD forDublin Rathdown | Spokesperson on European Affairs | 2020– |
Seanad spokespeople
[edit]On 10 July 2020, Fine Gael Leader, Leo Varadkar announced the Seanad Spokespersons for the party. Their role is to support the Government, develop policy, speak in the Seanad on matters relating to their policy area on behalf of Fine Gael.[3]On 18 September 2020, Fine Gael Senator, Joe O'Reilly was elected Leas Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.[4]
| Name | Elected office | Portfolio | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seán Kyne | Senatornominated by the Taoiseach | DeputyLeader of the Seanad
Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform and Gaeltacht |
2020– |
| Joe O'Reilly | Senator for theLabour Panel | Leas Cathaoirleach Spokesperson on Foreign and European Affairs, Defence and Brexit |
2020– 2020– |
| Emer Currie | Senatornominated by the Taoiseach | Spokesperson on Employment Affairs, Work/Life Balance and Northern Ireland | 2020– |
| Aisling Dolan | Senatornominated by the Taoiseach | Spokesperson on Education, Science and Innovation (including Higher Education) | 2020– |
| Garret Ahearn | Senator for theAdministrative Panel | Spokesperson on Enterprise and Trade | 2020– |
| Mary Seery Kearney | Senatornominated by the Taoiseach | Spokesperson on Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Privacy Rights | 2020– |
| John Cummins | Senator for theLabour Panel | Spokesperson on Housing, Heritage and Local Government | 2020– |
| Barry Ward | Senator for theIndustrial and Commercial Panel | Spokesperson on Justice | 2020– |
| Tim Lombard | Senator for theAgricultural Panel | Spokesperson on Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Marine | 2020– |
| Micheál Carrigy | Senator for theIndustrial and Commercial Panel | Spokesperson on Media, Arts, Sports and Tourism | 2020– |
| John McGahon | Senator for theCultural and Educational Panel | Spokesperson on Climate, Communications, Energy and Natural Resources | 2020– |
| Martin Conway | Senator for theAdministrative Panel | Spokesperson on Health | 2020– |
References
[edit]- ^Horgan-Jones, Jack (22 July 2020)."Richard Bruton elected chairman of Fine Gael parliamentary party".The Irish Times.Retrieved10 July2021.
- ^Scally, Aisling (30 September 2020)."Tánaiste and Fine Gael Leader Leo Varadkar announces party spokespeople".Fine Gael.Retrieved10 July2021.
- ^Varadkar, Leo (10 July 2020)."Tánaiste and Fine Gael President Leo Varadkar announces Seanad Spokespersons".Fine Gael.Retrieved10 July2021.
- ^"Seanad Éireann debate - Friday, 18 Sep 2020".Oireachtas.18 September 2020.Retrieved10 July2021.