Michelle O'Neill Named Sinn Féin's New Leader Of The North

Michelle O'Neill has been chosen to replace Martin McGuinness as Sinn Féin's new leader of the north.

Mr McGuinness recently announced his retirement partly due to ill health.

In May 2016 Michelle was re-elected as an Assembly member for Mid Ulster and reappointed to the Executive as Minister for Health.

Since then she has established a clear vision for the future of health and social care through her 10 year transformation plan alongside prioritising mental health, focused on tackling health inequalities, early intervention and prevention.

Speaking in Stormont today, Ms O'Neill said: "For me to be selected to lead our party in the north is truly the biggest honour and privilege of my life.

"I have no doubt that I am following in the footsteps of a political giant in Martin McGuinness. And it's not just republicans that think that, as we have witnessed over the course of the last few weeks.

"Over the course of the last number of weeks, while others shouted from the sidelines it was Sinn Féin that stood up and confronted corruption. It was Sinn Féin that called a halt to the arrogance and the intolerance of the DUP.

"Arrogance and disrespect has no place in society. Financial scandal, incompetence or waste of public money cannot be tolerated.

"In the aftermath of the election, there can and will be no return to the status quo.

"Sinn Féin are only interested in participating in the power sharing institutions if they deliver for all of our citizens and operate on the basis of equality and respect.

"Sinn Fein is seeking in this election a stronger mandate to enter forthcoming political negotiations come March to defend your interests and put firmly the peoples social, economic and political interests first.

"What we are seeking is respect and equality for all of the people. And what we are seeking is integrity in the political institutions.

"That is what Martin McGuinness stands for. That is what Sinn Fein stands for. That is what I stand for."

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, said: "I wish to warmly congratulate Michelle O'Neill, following the announcement of her selection as the new leader of Sinn Féin in the Northern Ireland Assembly. This is a statement of the very high regard in which Michelle is held by her party colleagues and I am sure this is a very proud and special day for her and her family.

"I, and my Government colleagues, have worked closely and constructively with Michelle in the North South Ministerial Council both during her time as Minister for Agriculture and more recently as Minister for Health. Her hard work and dedication was evident in both of these portfolios. I know that we share a sense of urgency in our determination to see the power-sharing institutions effectively functioning at Stormont once the election has taken place.

"I look forward to continuing to work closely with Michelle in her new role. I believe we share the same determination to advance peace and stability in Northern Ireland for the benefit of all its people."

(CD)