De Brún to concentrate on Europe

Six-County Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has resigned her Assembly seat for West Belfast to concentrate on her role as a member of the European Parliament.

"It would be very difficult for any individual to deliver effectively for constituents across the Six Counties in Europe and simultaneously maintain the sort of constituency service which Sinn Féin requires from its MLAs," said Assembly group leader Conor Murphy, announcing her decision earlier ths week.

The former Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety said it had been an honour to represent the people of West Belfast in the Assembly and vowed to continue to work hard for the constituency in her new role as a member of the European Parliament.

"Although I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent in the Assembly, given the amount of time which is required to effectively represent people in the European Parliament I now feel that the only realistic option is for me to concentrate my time fully on that task."

De Brún's Assembly seat will be taken up by Lisburn Councillor Sue Ramsey.