Labour TD for Cork East Sean Sherlock has been appointed as his party’s spokesperson on agriculture and the marine.
The Cork TD will be taking these responsibilities once again, in addition to being party spokesperson for social protection, rural and community affairs and the islands.
Commenting following his appointment, deputy Sherlock said: “This is a most challenging time for those involved in the agriculture and forestry sector.
“I look forward to being an advocate for farmers and farming communities and helping them to negotiate the challenges faced by climate change.
There’s a balance to be struck between ensuring productivity and secure farm incomes and meeting our climate change obligations.
“Farmers have to be a part of that Just Transition and should not be left behind.
“I’ve argued for that on the Climate Action Committee. My appointment as spokesperson is a continuation of that work. I look forward to reaching out to the farming organisations in the coming weeks,” deputy Sherlock concluded.
Sherlock
Serving as a TD for the Cork East constituency since 2007, deputy Sherlock has previously held the role of spokesperson for the Labour Party on justice as well as children and youth affairs.
In the last Dáil, the Cork TD was chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Petitions.
From 2011 to 2014, he was a Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Education and Skills with special responsibility for research and innovation.
He subsequently served as Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for trade promotion, development and north south cooperation from 2014 to 2016.