SF Reshuffle

Coutesy of Breakingnews.ie Mitchel McLaughlin is standing down as the chairman of the Northern Assembly Finance and Personnel Committee as part of a reshuffle announced by Sinn Féin today.

However Chief Whip Caral Ni Chuilin said the South Antrim MLA would remain as the party spokesman on the Economy and Finance. “He will now be able to enter and shape the economic debate without the restriction of Chair of a committee restricting his input.”

Mr McLaughlin will be replaced as chairman by West Belfast MLA Jennifer McCann.

She would “continue to bring a grass roots perspective to the work of the Finance Committee and a realisation that budget decisions in the Assembly have a direct effect on the budget of every family household,” said the Chief Whip.

As a result of her move to Finance she will be stepping down as Vice Chair of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee to be replaced by Lagan Valley MLA Paul Butler.

His move will mean him standing down as a member of the Assembly commission, to be replaced by West Tyrone MLA Pat Doherty – who will continue with Sinn Féin’s equality agenda within the commission.

Ms Ni Chuilin said: “The reshuffle will be confirmed at the first available meeting of the Assembly on its return in September and will strengthen Sinn Fein’s ability to deliver change across a wide range of socio economic issues in the months and years ahead.”