Selection Row Won't Displace Ruane: Sinn Féin

Continuing controversy over the long-awaited replacement for the ditched 11+ transfer test won't provoke a sideways move for the beleaguered Sinn Féin Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane.

There are no plans to change the Stormont Ministerial team, a senior Sinn Féin party member has said.

While a backbench reshuffle made waves late last week - which saw John O'Dowd become Education Spokesman and Paul Butler move across to enterprise - Caitríona Ruane is set to remain as the Minister.

Mr O'Dowd said plans for what will replace academic selection would not change, no matter who is the minister: "It wouldn't matter who our Education Minister is, the proposals that Caitríona is bringing forward will remain the same.

"Caitríona Ruane will remain our Minister of Education, she will be carrying through these proposals," he said.

"There is no plan to reshuffle our front bench, whether it be Caitríona or anybody else," Mr O'Dowd said.

Meanwhile, a Strabane councillor and Sinn Fein representative, Ivan Barr has died after a short illness.

Mr Barr had been involved in politics for over 40 years and was a former Chairman of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association.

Also, while Chairman of Strabane District Council in 2001, he was central to a political storm after shaking hands with DUP colleague Thomas Kerrigan.

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness said Mr Barr "treated everyone with respect".

(BMcC)