Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Newry and Armagh MLA to help fill in for Michelle Gildernew

Published: 22 October, 2008

As Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew is on maternity leave following the birth of her daughter on Friday, Newry and Armagh MP & MLA Conor Murphy is to assume responsibility for undertaking Michelle's Ministerial Duties.

Conor will be representing Michelle at the pre-negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy Health Check and the EU Fisheries December Council in Brussels. This will involve a series of meetings with our Southern Ministerial counterparts as well as English, Scottish and Welsh Ministers. He will also be covering some ministerial debates, the first took place on Monday.

Commenting after assuming his new brief Mr. Murphy said,

"I am very much looking forward to the new challenges ahead. Michelle Gildernew is a fantastic Minister and for the short time that she is away we intend to continue with the good work and the dedication to the development of our rural communities that Michelle has shown