The Fine Gael TD for South Tipperary Michael Murphy is to chair the Oireachtas Transport Committee.
Although the Dáil is on recess until April 29th the TD was informed of his selection by the party leader Simon Harris yesterday. The position carries an additional allowance of almost €11,000 annually.
The role may prove pivotal for the campaign to upgrade the entire N24 Road from Waterford to Limerick and for the delivery of a ByPass for Thurles as part of the next National Development Plan. The Committee will assess any transport related legislation but will also have a remit that includes Active Travel, Rail Transport, Aviation and Road Safety.
The Government Parties will chair 15 of the new Oireachtas Committees.
North Tipperary TD Alan Kelly is to chair the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture & Sport.
Based on the number of TDs elected Sinn Fein will chair 8 Committees, Labour, the Social Democrats and the Independent & Parties Dáil Group will each chair two committees and the Independent Group of TDs will chair one of the new Oireachtas Committees.
