Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

As I said last week and previously, decisions made by Government are collective, responsible decisions and people act towards the agenda. As far as I am concerned, everybody is equal, regardless of the Ministry held. Whether it is I, a Minister or a Minister of State, people are equal. They have a job to do. Decisions are discussed in advance. The Government makes policy and by moving people and bringing four new people to the Cabinet table, which is a quarter of the Cabinet, we are bringing new vibrancy, activity and dynamic to the Government. I hope the colleagues I have put forward will show that in all of their Ministries.

I will not take lectures from parties that, when in Government, never served the people who were in need. Tonight this House will debate the carer's allowance but it was this Government that brought in a carer's allowance. Most measures in the social welfare code were initiatives of my party or the parties in Government. If the Opposition has any good suggestions about new issues we will debate them but I will not listen to lectures by people who did not take the opportunity when they were in office.

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