25th May 2002

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Cavan/Monaghan TD selected as Sinn Fein Parliamentary Group Leader

Ó Snodaigh to become Party Whip

Sinn Fein TD for Cavan Monaghan Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin was selected at a meeting of the Ard Chomhairle in Dublin today as the Party's Parliamentary Group Leader in Leinster House. Deputy Ó Caoláin will now lead Sinn Fein's team of five newly elected TDs that includes Seán Crowe, Dublin South West; Martin Ferris, Kerry North; Arthur Morgan, Louth and Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Dublin South Central. Aengus Ó Snodaigh has been appointed as Party Whip.

Speaking after his selection Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said: "I am truly honoured to have been selected by my comrades and colleagues to lead Sinn Fein's first ever group of TDs in Leinster House. Before this election I was confident that I would not be returning to Leinster House alone. Now that the election has come and gone I am looking forward to the prospect of engaging along with my four colleagues in constructive and critical opposition. With a mandate from almost 300,000 people we are also part of a larger national Sinn Fein team committed to bringing about real change on an all-Ireland basis.

"We are seeing the beginning of a realignment in Irish politics.

"There are huge challenges for those parties or individual TDs who have an inclusive and progressive view of Irish society.

"Sinn Fein TDs will play their role in trying to build an alternative to the vested interests that have benefited most from the prosperity of recent years. There is also a need to defend the gains, which have been made by sections of ordinary people who in fact were the creators of the wealth of the Celtic Tiger.

"Sinn Fein's only interest in increasing our political strength is to utilise that strength to bring about equality, to end poverty, and factor equity and justice into the rights of citizens in their entitlements to decent jobs, a public health service, education and housing.

"We campaigned on these issues as well as for the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the objective of Irish unity. But we have no monopoly on any of these positions. They are shared by members of all the other parties, including some who will form the government.

"But if progress is to be made those of us who share this vision on an ideological basis or as a matter of principle will have to learn to coalesce, to map out broad programmes of work, and to provide principled opposition. This is vital given the likelihood that the incoming government may be about selling off public services, imposing further privatisation on our health services, and reinforcing and deepening the gap between rich and poor.

"As a team myself, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Martin Ferris, Seán Crowe and Arthur Morgan will be a forceful voice for equality and justice. We are looking forward to challenges ahead and are confident of making a significant impact in the next Dáil."ENDS

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