Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

First, I join with Deputy Bruton in congratulating Deputies Áine Brady and Calleary on their appointment as Ministers of State. It is a proud day for them and I wholeheartedly congratulate them. I also congratulate all the Ministers of State who survived and commiserate with those who were not reappointed. While it is a disappointing day for them, to some extent that is the way of politics.

The only point I will make about the appointments is that the country needs somewhat more profound political change than simply making some changes in the office of Ministers of State. However, that probably is for lá eile.

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