Social Democrats Front Bench (Ireland)


The Social Democrats are the fourth-largest political party in Dáil Éireann. The party leader appoints a team of TDs and Senators to speak for the party on different issues. The Social Democrats have been in opposition since their foundation in 2015 and accordingly, their front bench areas of responsibility broadly correspond to those of Government ministers. The current front bench was announced on 2 February 2025.

Social Democrats frontbench

PortfolioNameElected office
Leader of the Social Democrats
Holly CairnsTD for Cork South-West
Deputy Leader of the Social Democrats
Spokesperson for Finance
Spokesperson for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation
Cian O'CallaghanTD for Dublin Bay North
Spokesperson for Youth, Children and EqualityAidan FarrellyTD for Kildare North
Spokesperson for Justice, Home Affairs and MigrationGary GannonTD for Dublin Central
Spokesperson for Education
Spokesperson for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Jen CumminsTD for Dublin South-Central
Spokesperson for Climate, Environment and Energy
Spokesperson for Transport
Spokesperson for Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Jennifer WhitmoreTD for Wicklow
Spokesperson for Mental Health
Spokesperson for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
Spokesperson for Disability
Liam QuaideTD for Cork East
Spokesperson for HealthPádraig RiceTD for Cork South-Central
Spokesperson for Housing, Local Government and HeritageRory HearneTD for Dublin North-West
Spokesperson for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment
Spokesperson for Defence
Spokesperson for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport
Sinéad GibneyTD for Dublin Rathdown
Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and TradePatricia StephensonSenator for the Labour Panel
Spokesperson for Social ProtectionEoin HayesTD for Dublin Bay South