Mayo Sinn Féin councillor pays tribute to Caitríona Ruane

CASTLEBAR native Caitríona Ruane has announced her retirement from politics in the north of Ireland.

Caitriona will not be putting her name forward for selection for the Assembly elections on March 2 next.

Caitríona, renowned as a hard working advocate and strong voice for women, has most recently served as the current Principal Deputy Speaker of the Stormont Assembly.

Her decision to step down from politics comes after 14 years as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Stormont, representing the constituency of South Down.

During that time, Caitríona also served as the Chief Whip and on the Policing Board. She served as Minister for Education from 2007-2011.

Paying tribute to her, Mayo Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry Murray stated: 'Caitriona can be very proud of her record in politics. She has played a central role in assisting the growth and development of the peace process during her tenure as an MLA for South Down.

'Before entering politics in 2003, she worked in the human rights field and she continued in her political career to always put human rights and equality issues to the fore.

'In 2008, as Minister for Education, she abolished the Eleven Plus exam, an archaic form of academic selection which branded the majority of children failures at 11 years of age.

'This was no easy task and was done and as as a result, children and young people in schools across the north of Ireland now have access to a fairer system of education with equal opportunities for all.

'Caitríona has always been a great advocate for women, the LGBT community, Irish language speakers and promoting equality. Twice, she was selected, with cross party support, as the chairperson of the Stormont Women's Caucus.

'In 2000 President Mary McAleese presented Caitríona with the Aisling Person of the Year Award and in 2013 Caitríona received the ‘Politician of the year’ award during the LGBT pride awards for her work in campaigning on behalf of the gay community.

'Throughout her life Caitriona has always being a relentless campaigner for human rights and justice. She was chairperson of the ‘Bring Them Home’ campaign, working for the release of the three Irish men imprisoned in Colombia on false charges.

'She travelled to Bogota on sixteen occasions, coordinating the prisoners’ legal teams in Ireland and Colombia and organising international observers.

'She also lobbied the UN and the EU on human rights in the North and was involved in organising inquiries into the British Government’s shoot to kill policy and their collusion with Loyalist death squads.

'Caitríona is a proud Mayo woman. She is a regular visitor to her home County and has shown great support for Mayo Sinn Féin over the years. She was always a familiar face at Mayo Sinn Féin gatherings and, of course, a regular canvasser during election time for all of the Mayo candidates, including her sister, Councillor Thérèse Ruane in Castlebar.

'Mayo Sinn Féin wishes Caitríona every success in her retirement from politics. She will be missed from the political arena but I”ve no doubt that Caitríona will continue her relentless work to make a difference and to build a fairer, more equal and just society for all.'