John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

The continued and increased investment in flood protection and water infrastructure is something of which my party is very proud. Again, I thank our colleagues in Government for working closely with us on those issues.

I congratulate the incoming Ministers but first I wish to say a few words about those Ministers who have resigned. I wish the former Minister and Deputy, Martin Cullen, well. His health problems are of such a great nature he must take time out and I wish him and his family well in his recovery. Likewise I wish Deputy Willie O'Dea well. I say to him that I shall continue my work in dealing with his town, Limerick. We have done considerable work in my Department and are dealing for the first time with the boundary issue in Limerick and with the regeneration issue there. These are both very important issues.

I congratulate the incoming Ministers, Deputies Pat Carey and Tony Killeen. I note that two of my Ministers of State have gone on to higher office, showing that we can nurture talent in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

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