Deputy Eoin Hayes has been appointed as the Social Democrats’ Spokesperson on Social Protection as part of a shake-up of the party’s front bench.

The announcement comes after a number of controversies involving the Dublin Bay TD.

Last month, Mr Hayes apologised for a “completely inappropriate” Halloween costume.

He wore black make-up on his face and hands 16 years ago when he dressed up as former US President Barack Obama.

Mr Hayes said the costume, worn when he was 22 and president of the University College Cork Students’ Union, was a “huge mistake”.

He was readmitted to the Social Democrats in July following a seven-month suspension.

It came after the TD supplied incorrect information on when he sold his shares in Palantir Technologies, where he was formally employed – a company linked to the Israeli military.

Last month, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said that he deserved a chance to regain people’s trust.

Announcing Mr Hayes’ appointment as social protection spokesperson, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said she knew that he “will work hard in this brief on behalf of some of the most vulnerable people in the country and continue to ensure the Government faces strong and constructive opposition”.

The Social Democrats have appointed Eoin Hayes as its Social Protection spokesperson.

— Mícheál Lehane (@MichealLehane) October 15, 2025

The full list of Social Democrats’ spokespeople is:

Holly Cairns – party leader
Cian O’Callaghan – deputy leader and finance, public expenditure, infrastructure, public service reform and digitalisation spokesperson
Gary Gannon – justice, home affairs and migration
Jennifer Whitmore – climate, energy, environment, transport, agriculture, food, fisheries and marine
Rory Hearne – housing, local government, heritage and Gaeltacht
Pádraig Rice – health
Sinéad Gibney – enterprise, tourism, employment, arts, media, communications, culture, sport and defence
Liam Quaide – disability, mental health, rural and community development
Eoin Hayes – social protection
Patricia Stephenson – foreign affairs and trade
Aidan Farrelly – children, equality and youth
Jen Cummins – education, further and higher education, research, innovation and science