Conall McDevitt (born 1972 in Dublin) is an Irish nationalist, and former member of the SDLP.[2] He also served as the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) spokesman on Health, Social Services and Public safety and Policing,[3] and was appointed to the Policing Board in May 2011.[3]
Background
McDevitt became the National Secretary of Labour Youth (Ireland) in 1993 and Vice President of ECOSY (European Community Organisation of Socialist Youth) in 1994.[3] He became the SDLP Director of Communications in November 1996 until December 1999, a time that included the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Agreement and first Assembly elections.[3] He left the SDLP to work as customer relations manager of Viridian Group PLC, [citation needed] then owners of Northern Ireland Electricity.
On 17 May 2012, McDevitt launched a consultation seeking views on a reduction in speed limits from 30 mph to 20 mph on designated unclassified roads.[5]
McDevitt said the SDLP was "100%" behind moves to permit same-sex marriage, but caused controversy by saying two veteran councillors would be disciplined over their opposition to it.[6]
In September 2013 he resigned from the Assembly after the revelation of three undeclared payments, amounting to £50,750 made up of £30,000[2] to JM Consulting for research support for his work as a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, £14,000 to JM Consulting[7] for research and secretarial services for his work as an MLA and £6,750[8] from his previous employer Weber Shandwick while sitting as an MLA. JM Consulting was owned at that time by McDevitt's wife Joanne Murphy.[9]
Three months after his resignation he joined the Irish lobbying firm Hume Brophy.[10]