Willie O'Dea Recalled To Front Bench

Former Defence Minister Willie O'Dea has expressed surprise over his recall to the front bench under the new Fianna Fail party leader, Michael Martin.

Mr O'Dea resigned from the front bench in February of last year over an affidavit controversy, where he signed a court affidavit claiming he had not made defamatory comments about a Sinn Féin candidate in Limerick. However, his comments later emerged on a recording, causing significant embarrassment to the former Minister and leading to his decision to resign.

Mr O’Dea today dismissed criticism of his return to the Fianna Fáil front bench saying that he paid a heavy price “politically and financially” flowing the incident. The newly elected leader Micheál Martin appointed Mr O'Dea to his 15-strong front bench team yesterday, while a further six people have been appointed in new policy areas, including reform of the public service, political system, and financial sector.

Mary Hanafin was also this morning back on the front bench, named the new Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil and will also be Spokesperson on the Environment for the party.

Senator Mark McSharry will also take a seat on the front bench, along with five junior ministers, five backbenchers, and three Dublin-based candidates who are not members of the Oireachtas - Averil Power, Jim O'Callaghan and Mary Fitzpatrick.

Speaking today about his newly shuffled frontbench, Michael Martin said: "In bringing together this frontbench I have decided to draw on the party’s full base of TDs, Senators, councillors and candidates. We have hundreds of representatives in all parts of the country and I am determined that we find ways of harnessing all of their energy and experience.

"While the majority have not held Cabinet positions, all have shown a commitment to the development of innovative policies and a practical agenda to move our country forward."

Other key figures in the frontbench will be; Brian Lenihan, who continues as the party's spokesperson on Finance; Mary Coughlan who will now be spokesperson for Education & Skills; and Eamon O Cuiv who takes up the reigns as Spokesperson on Social Protection.

(DW)