Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy to step down as Social Democrats co-leaders

Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy are reportedly set to stand down as co-leaders of the Social Democrats.

They are both due to make what is being described by the party as a "significant announcement" at 3pm.

Catherine Murphy was first elected to Dáil in 2005, following a by-election in Kildare North. She is both co-leader and co-founder of the Social Democrats and is party spokesperson on Justice, Enterprise, Trade and Employment as well as Transport.

Róisín Shortall was elected to the Dáil in 1992, in the Dublin North West constituency. The Sláintecare advocate is co-leader and co-founder of the Social Democrats, and is party spokesperson on Health, Finance, and Public Expenditure and Reform.

A former primary school teacher with a degree in Economics and Politics, Shortall has been particularly vocal on social justice issues over her 28 years in politics.

The former Minister of State had, as a Labour junior minister in the previous government, resigned over differences with the Fine Gael health minister James Reilly.

The Social Democrats party was formed in 2015. Current Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, was one of the founding members but later joined Fianna Fáil.

The party has four other TDs – Holly Cairns, Jennifer Whitmore, Gary Gannon and Cian O'Callaghan.

It is widely believed that Cork TD Holly Cairns will become leader of the party. The party spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Rural Development; Social Justice; and Disability has been a vocal activist for survivors of Mother and Baby Homes, among other issues.