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    The Opposition Front Bench in the Republic of Ireland is a group of senior parliamentary opposition Teachtaí Dála who together under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition form an alternative cabinet to the government's. These members are assigned a particular portfolio and mark each individual member of the government. Members of the Opposition are often but not always appointed to a Cabinet post if and when their party gets into government.

    Fine Gael is the largest opposition party in the Dáil and therefore that party's leader takes the title Leader of the Opposition, a largely nominal role. The other parties that occupy the opposition benches include the Labour Party, Sinn Féin, the Green Party and the Socialist Party.

    The "Official Opposition" is viewed as the party tasked with keeping the government in check. It is also generally viewed as the alternative government. The Official Opposition maintains a Front bench of Teachtaí Dála (TDs) that often have the same portfolios as actual ministers. They are known as opposition "spokespersons".

    The title of "the Opposition" is held by the largest party in Dáil Éireann which is not in government, and sometimes the Opposition may even be the largest party in the Dáil. The latter situation almost always occurs when Fianna Fáil are in opposition. This is due to the existence of the multi-party system where Fine Gael usually forms a coalition with the Labour Party.








        Opposition Front Bench (Ireland)
                Front Bench Spokespersons
                Deputy Spokespersons

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    Front Bench Spokespersons






























































































































    CCCCCC">Portfolio CCCCCC">Opposition Spokesperson
    Leader of the Opposition
    Spokesperson on Northern Ireland
    Enda Kenny (2002–)
    Deputy-Leader of the Opposition
    Spokesperson on Finance
    Richard Bruton (2002–)
    Spokesperson on Justice & Law Reform Jim O'Keeffe (2004–)
    Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Bernard Allen (2004–)
    Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade & Employment Phil Hogan (2002–)
    Spokesperson on Health & Children Liam Twomey (2004–)
    Spokesperson on Marine John Perry (2004–)
    Spokesperson on the Environment, Heritage & Local Government Fergus O'Dowd (2004–)
    Spokesperson on Arts, Sport & Tourism Jimmy Deenihan (2002–)
    Spokesperson on Regional Development & Emigrant Affairs Paul Connaughton (2002–)
    Spokesperson on Social, Family Affairs & Equality David Stanton (2004–)
    Spokesperson on Transport Olivia Mitchell (2004–)
    Spokesperson on Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs Dinny McGinley (2004–)
    Spokesperson on Agriculture & Food Denis Naughten (2004–)
    Spokesperson on Education & Science Olwyn Enright (2002–)
    Spokesperson on Defence Billy Timmins (2004–)
    Spokesperson on Communications & Natural Resources Bernard Durkan (2004–)
    Chief Whip Paul Kehoe (2004–)
    Spokesperson without portfolio Michael Noonan (2004–)
    Spokesperson on Dublin Senator Brian Hayes (2002–)


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    Deputy Spokespersons



























































    CCCCCC">Portfolio CCCCCC">Deputy Spokesperson
    Spokesperson on Health with special responsibility for
    mental health & children
    Assistant Chief Whip
    Dan Neville (2002–)
    Spokesperson on Finance Paul McGrath (2002–)
    Spokesperson on Justice & Community Affairs with special
    responsibility for rugs, Alcohol & Crime Prevention
    Damien English (2004–)
    Spokesperson on Justice Gerard Murphy (2004–)
    Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade & Employment with
    special responsibility for EU Internal Market Development &
    Small & Medium Enterprises
    Pat Breen (2004–)
    Spokesperson on the Environment with special responsibility for
    Heritage & Rural Affairs
    Tom Hayes (2004–)
    Spokesperson on the Environment & Local Government with
    special responsibility for Urban Renewal & Housing Policy
    Pádraic McCormack (2004–)
    Spokesperson on Agriculture Seymour Crawford (2004–)
    Spokesperson on Transport with special responsibility for Road Safety Shane McEntee (2006–)


     
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