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Social Democrats will find it hard to fill vacuum left by departure of Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall

Departures unlikely to signal any major policy change in the party given they both stepped down as co-leaders last year

Róisín Shortall. She has nearly 32 years’ experience as a TD, and has been re-elected at every general election since she won her first Dáil seat in 1992. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
Róisín Shortall. She has nearly 32 years’ experience as a TD, and has been re-elected at every general election since she won her first Dáil seat in 1992. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
Jennifer Bray's picture
Jennifer Bray
Tue Jul 02 2024 - 20:50

With nearly 50 years of Dáil experience between them, Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall will depart the political stage at the next election and leave in their wake a vacuum which the Social Democrats will find hard to fill.

Shortall has nearly 32 years’ experience as a TD, and has been re-elected at every general election since she won her first Dáil seat in 1992, which is no mean feat. Across Shortall’s Dublin North West constituency locals have become so accustomed to seeing her name on the ballot paper, and are so familiar with her work and politics, that she has more or less become part of the political furniture for many voters.

Some party figures, asked on Tuesday for their view about who should replace her in Dublin North West, were genuinely at a loss to do so. One name mentioned is councillor Mary Callaghan, who was re-elected in Ballymun-Finglas in last month’s local elections.

The problem is that very few people beyond the Soc Dems front bench enjoy the kind of national profile that Shortall has built up over three decades. While there may still be a left-leaning vote that would favour a Social Democrat in Dublin North West, the loss of Shortall’s personal brand will be surely be felt as the next general election approaches.

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It’s a similar picture in Kildare North where the loss of Catherine Murphy’s personal brand will see a handful of councillors vying to step into her shoes. She has been involved in local political campaigns since 1983 and has built a reputation as having an investigative nose on the Public Accounts Committee with an ability to zone in on detailed financial issues. The party recently increased its representation on Kildare County Council by three seats to seven, and a selection convention could see one or even two of these politicians selected.

Beyond the tricky task of filling the shoes of two experienced female politicians the question will be asked about what will change for the Social Democrats when the pair bow out at the next general election.

A merger with the Labour Party is as unlikely as ever as party leader Holly Cairns is unequivocally opposed to combining forces. Their departure is unlikely to signal any kind of major policy change given they both stepped down as co-leaders last year.

The biggest change will be for younger members of the parliamentary party, who will lose two mentors and decades of institutional knowledge and experience ahead of a crucial election.