THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS have appointed Dublin Bay South TD Eoin Hayes as their spokesperson on social protection.

A reshuffle was announced by the party this afternoon. 

Commenting on Hayes’ appointment, party leader Holly Cairns said: 

“I know Deputy Hayes will work hard in this brief, on behalf of some of the most vulnerable people in the country, and continue to ensure the government faces strong and constructive opposition.”

The move signals that the party is ready to move on from the series of controversies surrounding Hayes since he was elected as a TD for Dublin Bay South in last year’s general election. 

Less than two weeks after he won his seat in the Dáil, Hayes was dramatically suspended from the parliamentary party after he gave incorrect information to the media about when he sold shares in Israeli Defence Forces-linked company Palantir Technologies.

The suspension was lifted in July, but Hayes continued to keep a low profile. 

Then last month, Hayes apologised after the Irish Daily Mail published photographs of him in blackface at a party in 2009.

On her first day back in front of the media after maternity leave, Cairns was forced to confront the controversy.

Hayes replaces TD Liam Quaide as spokesperson for social protection, with Quaide taking over disability (previously held by Holly Cairns) in its place.

Quaide is also spokesperson for mental health, rural and community development.