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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Conor Murphy quits Stormont after being elected to the Seanad | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Conor Murphy was first elected to Stormont for Newry and Armagh in 1998 | Conor Murphy was first elected to Stormont for Newry and Armagh in 1998 |
| Sinn Féin Economy Minister Conor Murphy has been elected to the Seanad (Irish parliament's upper chamber) and will quit his job at Stormont. | Sinn Féin Economy Minister Conor Murphy has been elected to the Seanad (Irish parliament's upper chamber) and will quit his job at Stormont. |
| He secured one of the 60 seats available with the support of Sinn Féin TDs (members of the Irish parliament) and councillors. | He secured one of the 60 seats available with the support of Sinn Féin TDs (members of the Irish parliament) and councillors. |
| He contested a seat on the Industrial and Commercial panel and, according to his party, will use his new role to advance the debate for a united Ireland. | He contested a seat on the Industrial and Commercial panel and, according to his party, will use his new role to advance the debate for a united Ireland. |
| Murphy previously described the move as a "natural progression of his politics" and said he looked forward to using his experience to shape the debate around Irish reunification. | Murphy previously described the move as a "natural progression of his politics" and said he looked forward to using his experience to shape the debate around Irish reunification. |
| 'A northern voice' | |
| He also denied it was linked to a recent health scare when he suffered a mini stroke. | He also denied it was linked to a recent health scare when he suffered a mini stroke. |
| Speaking after his election was confirmed in the early hours of Monday, Murphy said he would "advance the debate on Irish unification" and bring a "northern perspective". | Speaking after his election was confirmed in the early hours of Monday, Murphy said he would "advance the debate on Irish unification" and bring a "northern perspective". |
| He warned Ireland's government not to ignore the issue of a united Ireland. | He warned Ireland's government not to ignore the issue of a united Ireland. |
| "There's no point in putting your head in the sand and hoping that this discussion is going away. It's not. It's gaining momentum and I hope that my presence here adds something to that. | "There's no point in putting your head in the sand and hoping that this discussion is going away. It's not. It's gaining momentum and I hope that my presence here adds something to that. |
| "I'm delighted to be a northern voice in the Seanad" he added. | "I'm delighted to be a northern voice in the Seanad" he added. |
| Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said it underscored her party's commitment to representing the entire island of Ireland. | Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said it underscored her party's commitment to representing the entire island of Ireland. |
| Murphy's move to Dublin marks the end of his long Stormont career, which began when he was first elected for Newry and Armagh in 1998. | Murphy's move to Dublin marks the end of his long Stormont career, which began when he was first elected for Newry and Armagh in 1998. |
| He held ministerial roles in three different departments - finance, economy and regional development. | He held ministerial roles in three different departments - finance, economy and regional development. |
| He was also an MP for 10 years, taking the Newry and Armagh seat from the SDLP's Seamus Mallon in 2005. | He was also an MP for 10 years, taking the Newry and Armagh seat from the SDLP's Seamus Mallon in 2005. |
| It is not clear yet who will replace him in the economy department, but Deirdre Hargey stepped into that role when Murphy was ill. | It is not clear yet who will replace him in the economy department, but Deirdre Hargey stepped into that role when Murphy was ill. |
| Analysis: Limited powers and seldom in the spotlight | Analysis: Limited powers and seldom in the spotlight |
| Conor Murphy's election comes as no surprise, as Sinn Féin had the numbers to ensure he would win the seat. | Conor Murphy's election comes as no surprise, as Sinn Féin had the numbers to ensure he would win the seat. |
| But his departure from Stormont does, as he was one of the party's most experienced politicians, leading a key department. | But his departure from Stormont does, as he was one of the party's most experienced politicians, leading a key department. |
| His absence will be felt in Belfast perhaps more than his presence in Dublin. | His absence will be felt in Belfast perhaps more than his presence in Dublin. |
| The Seanad has only limited powers and is seldom in the spotlight. | The Seanad has only limited powers and is seldom in the spotlight. |
| Sinn Féin campaigned to have it abolished in 2013, claiming it was "elitist and out of touch without any accountability". | Sinn Féin campaigned to have it abolished in 2013, claiming it was "elitist and out of touch without any accountability". |
| That view has clearly changed now as the party views it as a vehicle to be used in the pursuit of a united Ireland. | That view has clearly changed now as the party views it as a vehicle to be used in the pursuit of a united Ireland. |
| Expect Conor Murphy to have an impact, but maybe more in the TV and radio studios than in the chamber of the upper house. | Expect Conor Murphy to have an impact, but maybe more in the TV and radio studios than in the chamber of the upper house. |