Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy to quit Stormont after Seanad election

Sinn Féin Economy Minister Conor Murphy has been elected to the Seanad (Irish parliament’s upper chamber) and will quit his job at Stormont.

He secured one of the 60 seats available with the support of Sinn Féin TDs (members of the Irish parliament) and councillors.

He contested a seat on the Industrial and Commercial panel and, according to his party, will use his new role to advance the debate for a united Ireland.

Murphy is expected to resign as economy minister and his replacement will be confirmed by Sinn Féin later on Monday.

Murphy previously described the move as a “natural progression of his politics” and said he looked forward to using his experience to shape the debate around Irish reunification.

He also denied it was linked to a recent health scare when he suffered a mini stroke.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said it underscored her party’s commitment to representing the entire island of Ireland.

Murphy’s move to Dublin marks the end of his long Stormont career, which began when he was first elected for Newry and Armagh in 1998.

He held ministerial roles in three different departments – finance, economy and regional development.

He was also an MP for 10 years, taking the Newry and Armagh seat from the SDLP’s Seamus Mallon in 2005.

It is not clear yet who will replace him in the economy department, but Deirdre Hargey stepped into that role when Murphy was ill.

Conor Murphy’s election comes as no surprise, as Sinn Féin had the numbers to ensure he would win the seat.

But his departure from Stormont does, as he was one of the party’s most experienced politicians, leading a key department.

His absence will be felt in Belfast perhaps more than his presence in Dublin.

The Seanad has only limited powers and is seldom in the spotlight.

Sinn Féin campaigned to have it abolished in 2013, claiming it was “elitist and out of touch without any accountability”.

That view has clearly changed now as the party views it as a vehicle to be used in the pursuit of a united Ireland.

Expect Conor Murphy to have an impact, but maybe more in the TV and radio studios than in the chamber of the upper house.

As for his replacement at Stormont, it may not be the obvious choice.