Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Many of the speakers opposite have congratulated the new Taoiseach and the various Ministers who have been proposed for nomination. Before the House divides in a few moments, I would like to express my appreciation of the generosity of many of the tributes which have been paid by Opposition Deputies during this debate. As Deputy Kenny pointed out when he opened this debate on behalf of the Opposition, it is an honour to serve in government. The Taoiseach is permitted to appoint a maximum of 14 Ministers to his Government. It is a singular honour to hold any one of those offices. While all Ministries carry certain responsibilities, the office to which I am to be appointed is one of particular responsibility. Under the Constitution, Ministers must act collectively and be collectively accountable to this House.

Deputy Shatter expressed concerns about the proposed referendum on children's rights. I assure him that the new Ministers will be briefed by their predecessors about the work of the committee. The Government will act collectively on that issue, just as it will in respect of the many other matters with which it is faced.

One of the themes of this debate has been the negativity of the commentary on the Minister for Health and Children. She gave a robust account of her stewardship of that Department. We have full confidence in her. The decisions for which she is held accountable are collective decisions of the Cabinet. I have been concerned for some time about the quality of the debate in this House on the subject of health care. I refer to the unthinking opposition to the concept of co-location, for example.

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