Ireland

Ex-independent TD Stephen Donnelly joins Fianna Fáil

Stephen Donnelly is expected to get a frontbench role in the party dealing with Brexit issues
Stephen Donnelly is expected to get a frontbench role in the party dealing with Brexit issues Stephen Donnelly is expected to get a frontbench role in the party dealing with Brexit issues

FORMER independent and Social Democrat TD Stephen Donnelly has joined Fianna Fáil.

The vocal critic of the Dublin government and former management consultant is expected to get a frontbench role in the party dealing with Brexit issues.

He said: "I was motivated to enter politics to make a difference in my community and to try and help change the direction of the country.

"I am very concerned at the various challenges facing our country and believe I can best play my part in addressing them as part of the Fianna Fáil team whose policies reflect what I have advocated for."

Mr Donnelly, a founder of the Social Democrats before leaving the party last year, said Micheál Martin's party developed "a suite of constructive, progressive policies that have emphasised fairness and investment in public services" in recent years.

Mr Martin said: "Stephen has made a serious impact nationally in his time as a TD.

"In his various roles he has demonstrated a commitment to the principles of fairness and social democracy that underpin the values and policies of the Fianna Fáil party."

Mr Donnelly was a scholar at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and worked for consultancy firm McKinsey before entering politics in 2011 and has held a Dáil seat for Wicklow/East Carlow since then.