Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Tairigim: "Go gcomhaontóidh Dáil Éireann leis an Taoiseach d'ainmniú na dTeachtaí seo a leanas chun a gceaptha ag an Uachtarán mar chomhaltaí den Rialtas."

I move: "That Dáil Éireann approve the nomination by the Taoiseach of the following Deputies for appointment by the President to be Members of the Government:

Máire Ní Chochláinn	Mary Coughlan
I also propose to nominate her as Tánaiste.
Brian Ó Luineacháin	Brian Lenihan
Máire Ní Áirne	Mary Harney
Nollaig Ó Díomasaigh	Noel Dempsey
Diarmuid Ó hEachiarn	Dermot Ahern
Micheál Ó Máirtín	Micheál Martin
Máirtín Ó Cuilinn	Martin Cullen
Éamon Ó Cuív	Éamon Ó Cuív
Máire Ní Ainifín	Mary Hanafin
Liam Ó Deaghaidh	Willie O'Dea
Seán Ó Gormlaigh	John Gormley
Éamon Ó Riain	Eamon Ryan
Breandán MacGabhann	Brendan Smith
agus	and
Parthalán Ó Caoimh	Batt O'Keeffe

They will be assigned Departments of State as follows:

An Roinn Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta	Máire Ní Chochláinn
An Roinn Airgeadais	Brian Ó Luineacháin
An Roinn Sláinte agus Leanaí	Máire Ní Áirne
An Roinn Iompair	Nollaig Ó Díomasaigh
An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí	Diarmuid Ó hEachiarn
An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha	Micheál Ó Máirtín
An Roinn Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta	Máirtín Ó Cuilinn
An Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta	Éamon Ó Cuív
An Roinn Gnóthaí Sóisialacha agus Teaghlaigh	Máire Ní Ainifín
An Roinn Cosanta	Liam Ó Deaghaidh
An Roinn Comhshaoil, Oidhreachta agus Rialtais Áitiúil	Séan Ó Gormlaigh
An Roinn Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha	Éamon Ó Riain
An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Iascaigh agus Bia	Breandán MacGabhann
An Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta	Parthalán Ó Caoimh
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment	Mary Coughlan
Department of Finance	Brian Lenihan
Department of Health and Children	Mary Harney
Department of Transport	Noel Dempsey
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform	Dermot Ahern
Department of Foreign Affairs	Micheál Martin
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism	Martin Cullen
Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs	Éamon Ó Cuív
Department of Social and Family Affairs	Mary Hanafin
Department of Defence	Willie O'Dea
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government	John Gormley
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources	Eamon Ryan
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	Brendan Smith
Department of Education and Science	Batt O'Keeffe

I propose to nominate Paul Gallagher, S.C. for appointment by the President, to be the Attorney General.

In putting forward these names for the approval of the House for their appointment by the President, I should like to indicate my thinking about the priorities which my Government will observe.

We meet at a time of considerable global uncertainty. This applies to international economic conditions, reflecting the impact of turbulence in financial markets, inflationary pressures associated with the market for commodities, especially oil and food and the economic consequences of significant realignments in the geopolitical order. We face the more strategic challenges of climate change and the appropriate response to be made across all sectors of the economy, both domestically and internationally. We face the reality of international migration flows, and the human disaster of under-development which gives rise to them.

More immediately, at home we have the reality of an economy in transition to lower levels of growth: from an unsustainable level of activity in the housing market to a more balanced provision for a mature but growing population, with housing needs which will continue to require levels of housing output that are relatively high by European standards. That has had a direct impact on employment and tax revenue. However, the pace of activity across the economy is otherwise very resilient. Significant investment decisions are being announced which reflect the reality that Ireland is a good place to do business, and to make and renew investment. Our underlying competitive advantage is being strengthened by the rapidly improving physical infrastructure available to service the needs of our economy and society. Our research capacity and the scientific base for innovation across all sectors of the economy are being transformed through the policies and investments of the Government, and the growing commitment of business, both domestic and foreign, to deepening their research presence here.

In short, we have every reason to be confident about our economic future and about the social development which it makes possible. My Government will pursue the strategic direction set out with great clarity in the programme for government adopted last year. That programme, in turn, acknowledges and reinforces the importance of the agreed framework with the social partners contained in Towards 2016. In line with that agreement, we recognise the importance of the interdependence between economic and social development. We accept the value of ambitious goals to drive our performance over the years ahead. We are committed to deepening the sources of competitive advantage for Ireland in the changing and globalising economy. We recognise the importance of innovation and skill development at all levels, and not just in our universities and research centres. We acknowledge the importance of social development, of enabling all of our citizens and especially our young people to achieve their full potential at each stage of the life cycle. We assert the imperative of environmental sustainability in what we do as an economy and as a society.

In particular, we are committed to public services which are effective in meeting the needs of a more diverse and more demanding society, and which provide value for money through the flexibility and accountability appropriate in a modern democracy. These will be public services that place citizens and their needs at the centre of all that is done and planned, that are designed and delivered with the consumer rather than the provider in mind, and that apply new technology and new ways of doing things on a par with the best in the world.

Let us be clear about where we are going as a society. Let us be equally clear about how we will achieve our goals. We will do it, first of all, by avoiding the mistakes of the past. We know only too well from our relatively recent economic history that the wrong policies, the wrong decisions and the wrong behaviour can carry a very high price in an economy as open and dependent on international trade as we are. Therefore let us be realistic about how we manage short-term challenges so as not to prejudice our medium to long-term prospects.

The first lesson I draw from that is the need to secure our place at the heart of Europe, as a shaper and influencer of policies that will benefit our people. Failing to ratify the European reform treaty because of some misguided attempt to send a message about issues, which have nothing whatever to do with the treaty, can only weaken our position of influence. For that reason, my first priority and that of the Government will be the ratification of the treaty on 12 June.

The Government is being formed at a time when the terms of Towards 2016 are being reviewed with the social partners and talks on a new pay agreement within that framework have begun. I look forward to working with the social partners to chart a course for the period ahead which is in line with our shared objectives, which reflects the realities of the situation in which we find ourselves, and which enhances rather than diminishes our capacity to secure jobs and living standards for tomorrow and for the long term. There is urgency in moving towards an agreement since the conclusion of an appropriate agreement would, in itself, convey the strength and confidence of the economy in an uncertain world. I look forward to engaging with the social partners on these issues in the period ahead.

One important dimension of the partnership process has been its application in the public service. The recent report from the OECD shows clearly that the Irish public service performs strongly across a range of dimensions of both efficiency and effectiveness. However, it must be acknowledged that there are problems that need to be addressed. There is, overall, insufficient focus on performance that delivers outcomes in line with the needs of citizens. Even our public service reform process has correctly been categorised by the OECD as too inward facing without sufficient engagement with the complex and diverse needs of citizens in an integrated and flexible manner.

There are several initiatives in place which are already addressing many of the challenges identified by the OECD. I intend to pursue a comprehensive programme of renewal which integrates these initiatives and moves us forward together towards a world-class public service equipped to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. I am heartened by the comments of several leaders of public service trade unions about the importance and urgency they attach to this task. I look forward to working with them to realise our shared ambition for a renewed and flexible public service that can continue to command the respect and confidence of our citizens and taxpayers. I will shortly announce the appointment of a task force on the public service to report to Government before the summer break with a comprehensive programme for action.

Nowhere is the need for a new approach more acute than in the health service. Despite the vast sums of money invested in the provision of health services over the past decade we continue to face massive challenges. We all want better outcomes but the last decade has shown that money on its own will not achieve them. Government must take forward the case for accelerating reforms in the system to allow the modern advances in the provision of medical treatment to flourish. It may not be a uniformly welcome approach. In the past the local county hospital was the centre of the medical universe. There was quite understandably a great affinity with that model of health service provision. It served us well then. However, today, if we want to ensure better and more comprehensive and sophisticated levels of care and better outcomes, we must change the mind set. The status quo plus just will not work.

Across the public service all the Government wants on behalf of the people it serves is better outcomes for its citizens. In the case of the health service, it is about properly organising to international standards of safety what services we can provide to help save lives, not where we can provide them. We need to view hospitals as networks not stand-alone institutions. Clinicians working together in line with best international practice will be the best guarantee for better health outcomes for our people.

Similarly, primary care teams led by GPs and working with an increased out-of-hours service are critical if we are to off-load unnecessary service pressures in accident and emergency departments of hospitals where inappropriate attendance takes place for ailments that can easily be handled if a co-ordinated primary care service is simultaneously in place. I understand this is challenging. It can be emotive. However, doing things in new ways will help us sustain and deliver better outcomes for patients. Experience elsewhere tells us this.

Recently I visited the Cuisle Centre in Portlaoise where I met women recovering from cancer. It is a remarkable place and they are remarkable women. I left there reassured that — in spite of all of the serious problems we still have with the reform of the health service — we are making progress. I talked with women that day who had suffered with serious cancer. Their concern was the quality of their treatment. No one should ever play politics with people's lives. The dignity of the women I met there reinforced me in that belief.

My appeal to all Members of this House is that when it comes to the provision of public services generally and to the health services in particular let us keep the debate on what matters — outcomes and delivery. Dressing up sectional arguments to reinforce the status quo or the existing positions of well-established vested interests does not serve the real needs of the people in the short or the long term.

I have decided not to make any significant changes to the allocation of functions between Departments at this time. There are some adjustments I will mention in a moment. However, it is right at this time that the focus should be squarely on the successful management of the immediate challenges we face and which I have already described. Ministers and their Departments have a clear framework for action and will have an explicit set of priorities from our programme for Government. However, we should give consideration to the way in which the business of Government is structured and organised. The report of the OECD sets out some useful pointers in that regard. The Government will consider this issue in due course and I anticipate that some changes in departmental responsibilities, planned and managed in an appropriate way and implemented at the right time, could enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the public service in the years ahead. This will be an evolutionary process.

For the present, there are two adjustments that should proceed with immediate effect. The first is that the responsibility for producing an action plan for the knowledge society will be co-ordinated by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan. The impact of converging communications technologies creates a new context and our strategy for success in the knowledge economy should be developed and co-ordinated in close association with that branch of policy. The action plan will take account of the responsibilities of all of the relevant Departments and will, I expect, be published over the summer. Responsibility for e-Government will be consolidated in the Department of Finance, to which responsibility for the public service broker project has already been transferred.

The second adjustment I am making is that the Office of the Minister for Children will now be re-styled the Office of the Minister for Youth and Children, and responsibility for youth affairs in the Department of Education and Science and for the young persons' facilities and services fund in the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs will be integrated into the office. I intend this as a clear signal that a focus on young people and their needs will be a particular priority for the Government.

Co-ordinating policy and implementation across departmental boundaries is one of the great challenges of modern government. Pending any realignment of functions between Departments which may be appropriate, I intend to review the operation of Cabinet committees and their supporting cross-departmental teams of officials, and to assign functions to Ministers of State in ways that stress the importance of links across organisational boundaries and the pursuit of a more integrated approach to policy development.

While our economic growth path has been the envy of many, now is the time to broaden our definition of the success of the nation. Economic growth must progress two pillars of sustainable development: society and the environment. The world faces serious challenges to redress the human impact on the environment, none greater than in the area of climate change. Scientific evidence tells us to act now or face serious consequences. As a father I feel an obligation to make Ireland a better environment for my children. As Taoiseach I must provide leadership so we deliver on this for all of our children and future generations.

For a small country, Ireland has always punched above its weight in the international community; we must now be proactive in supporting and building upon the leadership shown by the European Union in policy measures to address the threat of climate change. Nobody should underestimate the enormity of the specific challenge faced by Ireland in meeting its post-Kyoto commitments. It will require a major alteration in the way we approach business at all levels of Government and across the economy and society. I am fully committed to leading this change.

I will introduce a comprehensive process of integration of policies across all Departments to address the major environmental challenges faced by Ireland in the wider world. Our policies must be examined from the perspective of environmental impact and the emphasis of the policy agenda needs to enhance the quality of life of our people and promote the pillars of sustainable development.

We must no longer see the environment as something that limits our development. Rather, the environment and economy are interdependent — progress in one area cannot be sustained without securing the other. The market economy need not be the enemy of the environment. Our commitment must be to use the market to mobilise people to think and behave in a way that puts the best interests of society as a whole ahead of their own private interests. This Government will explore a range of market-based policy instruments to effect this change while securing the economy.

While the Government can lead change in respect of the environment, the scale of the challenges we face requires a major response by all our people. This Government will be actively committed to providing the context within which people themselves can effect the change necessary to improve our environment and ensure a high quality of life for our future generations.

It is the youth of this nation who will determine that our peaceful island remains a safe and secure place for all our people to live. It is our youth who will determine how 21st century Ireland meets the challenges of an increasingly globalised economy. It is our young people who will help to shape the environmental destiny of our island, this Continent and the wider world.

It is customary at this time to announce the intention to nominate for appointment by the Government a number of Ministers of State. I take pleasure, therefore, in informing the House of the nomination of Deputy Pat Carey as Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip. He will also be Minister of State at the Department of Defence. I also intend to nominate for appointment by the Government Deputy Barry Andrews as Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, with responsibility for children and youth affairs. I will also nominate Deputy Trevor Sargent as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with special responsibility for food and horticulture. I nominate Deputy Dick Roche as Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, with responsibility for European affairs. The Minister of State, Deputy Roche, has a tremendous record of work in furthering Ireland's engagement with the European Union. His enthusiasm and commitment will continue to serve us well in the immediate and vital task of promoting a "Yes" vote in the forthcoming referendum on the Lisbon reform treaty.

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