O'Rourke elected to Sinn Fein national executive

Sinn Féin councillor Darren O'Rourke was elected to Sinn Féin's Árd Comhairle (national executive) at Sunday's annual meeting of the party's Midlands North West Regional Council (Cúige). 

The Ashbourne area councillor will be the sole representative from Co Meath on the national body. 

"The Sinn Féin Ard Comhairle is the party's ruling authority between Ard Fheisanna," he says. "I'm delighted to have the support of party members from across the 13 counties of the Midlands North West region and to have the opportunity to play a central role in party decision-making in the time ahead. To have a Meath voice at the top table is very important. 

"We have come through a difficult few months in Sinn Féin, but it is clear that the party in Meath and right across the region is united, determined and strong for the challenges and opportunities ahead. We have used the summer months to reflect on the local and European elections, to consult with party members and supporters, to listen and learn, and to renew our efforts to deliver a fairer and better Ireland. 

"With crises in health and housing, multi-billion-euro cost overruns in the National Broadband Plan and the National Children's Hospital, and with the Government spending millions of euros to refuse a €14.3bn tax windfall from Apple, it is clear that this Government is completely out of its depth. In early October, Meath Sinn Féin will select candidates to contest the next General Election for the Meath East and Meath West constituencies. That General Election can't come soon enough!"