Portfolios announced for new Assembly team

Sinn Féin Assembly group leader, Newry Armagh MLA Conor Murphy, announcing details of the portfolios for the new Assembly team on Monday, said the British Government's suspension of the institutions is hindering the work of MLAs. He said that in the immediate period ahead it is vital that elected representatives challenge direct rule ministers and ensure no decisions are made that do not reflect the needs of people living in the Six Counties. The portfolios are as follows:

Agriculture: Gerry McHugh will retain the brief alongside Martin Ferris TD in Leinster House and Pat Doherty, who heads the party's own national department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

All-Ireland Cross-border: Barry McElduff will take responsibility for this new portfolio with responsibility for increasing cross border working across all areas.

Culture, Arts and Leisure: Francie Brolly has a particular responsibility for the development and promotion of the Irish language.

Enterprise, Trade & Investment: Michelle Gildernew

Finance & Personnel: Francie Molloy, who will also take charge of Sinn Féin's campaign against the introduction of water charges.

Tourism: Philip McGuigan will take responsibility for developing the all-Ireland tourism agenda and monitoring Tourism Ireland.

Education: Davy Hyland

Employment & Learning: Michael Ferguson

Environment: Willie Clarke

Social Development: Fra McCann

Regional Development: Pat O'Rawe

Senior Citizens: Mary Nelis will take responsibility for this new cross-departmental portfolio

Office of First & Deputy First Minster: Alex Maskey will take a new overarching role with particular responsibilities in driving forward anti-racism and anti-sectarian initiatives and also for the Review of Public Administration.

Equality & Human Rights: Caitríona Ruane

Women and anti-poverty: Kathy Stanton will take responsibility for this new cross-departmental brief

Disability: Geraldine Dougan will take responsibility for this new cross-departmental party brief

European Affairs: Bairbre de Brún

Health, Social Services & Public Safety: John O'Dowd

Children & Young People: Thomas O'Reilly

Policing & Justice: Gerry Kelly

• Dr Dara O'Hagan will take on a new role anchoring the Economics team, with specific cross-departmental responsibility for Equality, anti-poverty and all-Ireland energy policy.

• Sue Ramsey will continue in her management role with the Assembly team.