Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, too, welcome Senator Norris back to the House. It was great to witness him in full flow this morning. I agree with the Cathaoirleach that this House has no role in the appointment of Ministers. Perhaps, however, it should. We should certainly have had some influence in regard to the four excellent members of the newly formed Cabinet who are former Members of the previous Seanad, including the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Alex White, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, and the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. I also welcome the appointment of two other former Members of this House, Deputies Joe McHugh and Paudie Coffey, as Ministers of State.

I rise primarily to welcome the appointment of Deputy Ann Phelan as Minister of State with special responsibility for rural affairs. As stated in this House many times, this Government has been the worst in the history of this State in dealing with rural Ireland. It has overseen the closure of rural Garda stations, schools and post offices. It has also overseen emigration from rural Ireland on a vast scale. I hope the appointment of Deputy Ann Phelan as Minister of State will focus this Government's attention on positive discrimination towards rural Ireland.