Conor Murphy quits Stormont role for Seanad seat

Conor Murphy has been elected to the Seanad, the upper house of the Irish parliament, prompting his resignation as the Economy Minister of Northern Ireland. His election marks a strategic move by Sinn Féin to strengthen its influence on the issue of Irish unification, as he intends to bring a 'northern perspective' to discussions about constitutional change. Murphy emphasized that there is growing momentum around the topic of a united Ireland, advocating for it to remain a priority for the Dublin government. Following his departure, Caoimhe Archibald has been appointed as the new Economy Minister, while John O'Dowd will take over as Finance Minister. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald hailed Murphy's election as a demonstration of the party's commitment to representing the entirety of Ireland. Murphy's long career at Stormont began in 1998, and he has held various ministerial roles, making his absence significant in Northern Ireland politics.