Fine Gael’s new health spokesman, Mr Gay Mitchell, announced his health cabinet today.
Mr Mitchell said health will be the major issue in the coming election and named Limerick West TD Mr Dan Neville and Deputy Michael Ring from Mayo as deputy health spokespersons.
The party’s health spokesperson in the Seanad will be Senator Mary Jackman, Mr Noonan’s running mate to contest the next general election in Limerick East.
Mr Nevile was Fine Gael’s junior health spokesman since last June. He was first elected to the Dáil in 1997 and was spokesperson on Children from 1997 to 2000.
1995 ‘Backbencher of the Year’ Mr Ring has been a member of the Dáil since 1994 which he won a by-election in the old constituency of Mayo West. He has served as Fine Gael spokesman on Health - Food Safety and Older People and on Agriculture Livestock Breeding and Horticulture.
Ms Jackman was elected to the Seanad in 1989 on the Labour Panel and is Fine Gael’s Seanad spokesperson on Health and Children. She was formerly spokesperson on Education on Women’s Affairs.
In making his announcement Mr Mitchell said Fine Gael had already published its policy proposals on health which would be put to the public for consultation and discussion in the coming months.