Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Ba mhaith liom mo comhghairdeas agus chomhghairdeas Theachtaí Sinn Féin a ghabháil leis an dTaoiseach tofa. I extend my congratulations and those of the other Sinn Féin Deputies to the Tánaiste, Deputy Cowen, on his election to the position of Taoiseach. I sincerely wish him well in his post and with the onerous responsibility attaching thereto. I also wish him well with the tasks that will present themselves in the months and years ahead.

I hope the Taoiseach elect will recognise that as an Opposition party, it is our responsibility to highlight the deficiencies in Government performance. I have done so resolutely, time and again. I will continue to voice my concerns in the hope that the Taoiseach elect, Deputy Cowen, and his colleagues in the new Cabinet will listen and act accordingly.

Many people are hurting and are fearful. Not everyone has benefited from the past decade of economic success. Earlier today, people from County Kerry protested outside the gates of Leinster House regarding the prospect of a deterioration in health service delivery in their locality. Those in each county have every right to be concerned that the template that has been devised in respect of the north east will be visited upon their communities in the future.

Irrespective of the protests of the current Minister for Health and Children and others within the Government parties, it is the absolute duty of other voices in this Chamber to represent the need for change not only in the context of individuals holding particular portfolios, but also in respect of policy direction. I respectfully urge that such change be made. I hope the Taoiseach elect, who has demonstrated an awareness of people's needs, will use his skills to bring about real change in policy direction in the areas of health, education, public transport and housing provision, among others. We have a right to expect quality public services and people are waiting for them to be delivered.

I hope the Tánaiste, Deputy Cowen's term in office will see the changes to which I refer come about. The first signalling of his intent will come in a few short hours when he announces his new Cabinet. I hope the Taoiseach elect, Deputy Cowen, will, at that point, have taken on board the appeals I have made on behalf of the people we all represent. In the event of his embracing the changes to which I refer, I look forward to working with him in a positive fashion in the future in the service of our people and the people of the island of Ireland as a whole.

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