Sinn Féin’s Newry and Armagh MLA Liz Kimmins is to become Stormont’s new Minister for Infrastructure.
The reshuffle on the party’s front bench at Stormont was announced following the election of outgoing economy minister Conor Murphy, who has secured a seat in the Republic’s Seanad.
Caoimhe Archibald will leave her role as finance minister to replace Mr Murphy as Economy Minister.
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd will be moved to finance with Liz Kimmins replacing him in the infrastructure role.
Ms Kimmins formerly chaired the Health Committee. That role will now be taken on by Philip McGuigan.
Mr Murphy quit his job at Stormont after being elected to the Dáil’s upper chamber.
He secured one of the 60 seats available with the support of Sinn Féin TDs and councillors.
The republican veteran secured his Seanad seat close to 1am on Monday morning after a lengthy count at the home of the Oireachtas parliament at Leinster House in Dublin.
He contested a seat on the Industrial and Commercial panel and is expected to use his new role to advance the debate for a united Ireland.
Reflecting on his move south, Mr Murphy made clear his job would be to advance the debate on Irish unification and bring a “northern perspective” to the conversation around planning for constitutional change.
He said he also would lean on his ministerial experience to focus on issues around creating and maintaining all-island economic links.
In a statement, Stormont First Minister Michelle O’Neill said:
“I am proud of the enormous efforts and commitment of Sinn Féin ministers over the past 12 months, securing additional funding for public services, moving to improve workers’ rights, tackling regional inequality and progressing key road projects like the A5.
“I am fully confident that our refreshed front bench will bring new energy and renewed focus to our ambitious programme of positive and progressive change.”