Michelle O’Neill named new leader of Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland after ill Martin McGuinness stepped down
SINN FEIN has named the former Health Minister Michelle O'Neill as the new leader of the party, after Martin McGuiness stepped down last week.
The former First Minister said he would not be running in the upcoming Northern Ireland elections due to poor heath.
If Sinn Fein does well in the polls on 2 March, it could mean Ms O'Neill would have a role in the new Government.
The appointment of the Mid Ulster Assembly member makes her the first leader of the party who does not have a direct IRA past.
She paid a warn tribute to Mr McGuinness, and said she was "following in the footsteps of a political giant". Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said Ms O'Neill represented a "new generation" for the party.
He said: "As a united all-Ireland team, we will give her the space and support to find her own voice and continue the good work Martin pioneered."
Elections were forced in Northern Ireland last week after Mr McGuiness stepped down from his role as Deputy First Minister in the power-sharing Government with the DUP.
He wanted the First Minister, Arlene Foster, to resign after her handling of the "cash for ash" heating scandal - and she refused.
Without both parties in position, the Government could not continue and the Northern Ireland Secretary was forced to call a fresh vote.
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Mr McGuiness confirmed last week that he would not stand in the upcoming elections due to ill health.
The Republican said he was suffering from a rare condition that attacks the heart, central nervous system and other vital organs.
He said: "I rapidly came to the conclusion that I am not in any physical state to fight such a campaign. So I have taken the decision that I will not be a candidate in the upcoming election."
The former IRA leader turned peacemaker had been in the post since entering Northern Ireland’s power-sharing assembly in 2007 with ex-political enemy Ian Paisley.
Who is Michelle O'Neill?
Michelle O'Neill is a grassroots activist who has risen through the ranks of local government to the Assembly.
She first became involved in politics in her teens and has hold various positions within the party itself.
She was serving as the Health Minister in the previous administration, and has also had the role of Minister for Rural Development.
Ms O'Neill has spent her time becoming involved with liberal policies, including lifting the gay blood ban, funding suicide prevention projects and fighting for mental health.
She was first elected to the Assembly in 2007, and has worked as a political adviser to the MP Francie Molloy.
The Renewable Heat Incentive scheme was set up in November 2012, under Ms Foster, in a bid to encourage businesses and other non-domestic to use renewable energy resources.
It offered a financial incentive to install renewable heat systems on their premises, including biomass boilers, mostly burning wood pellets, solar thermal and heat pumps. But it is alleged this cash motivation led to fuel being pointlessly burnt
It could cost the taypayers in Northern Ireland millions of pounds.
