Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I strongly believe in collective responsibility and loyalty in Government. That is what I have sought to achieve over the past ten years and that is what I want to achieve with our new colleagues in Government over the next five years. Notwithstanding the programme for Government, which is extremely important, a Government works on the basis of interpersonal relationships, whereby people give and take and support and assist each other. That kind of loyalty helps to deliver successful and cohesive Governments. This time five years ago, I began my speech by welcoming Deputy Kenny to the lonely leaders' club. Today I am welcoming people to the interim leaders' club, which comprises two members at present and may include more in due course.

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