Martin shuffles the cards

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin reshuffled his front bench of 20 TDs last night ahead of the Autumn Dáil term, with Michael Moynihan in Cork North West the only Cork TD to change portfolio. 

Deputy Moynihan moves from the Agriculture brief to Communications, Energy and Natural Resources which had been vacated by Eamon Ó Cúiv's resignation from the front bench before the Fiscal Treaty campaign because of differing viewpoints. 

Deputy Ó Cúiv, who also resigned his position as Deputy Leader, was returned to the front bench in the Agriulture, Food and Community Affairs portfolio. 

"The entire Fianna Fáil Party is focused on providing robust and constructive opposition to a Government that moves further from its election pledges and becomes more out of touch with the communities which elected it with each passing week," said South Central TD Micheál Martin. 

“We have made progress over the last year, bringing forward well argued and important legislation across the board and publishing more than 30 Bills." 

“As we look forward to the Autumn term, I have decided to reorganise our Dáil team to maximise our effectiveness and ensure that we are able to build on the solid work done to date.”

Deputies Billy Kelleher and Michael McGrath each retained their briefs of Health and Finance respectively. 

No Deputy Leader was announced with the expectation that Micheál Martin may scrap the position completely.