Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

We know well the reason the Taoiseach is not here. If Members want to go into all of that, we will do that for them too.

We know that new members of the Cabinet must be approved by this House. Yesterday, the Taoiseach took over the responsibilities of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. As a sitting Member of the Cabinet, he did not need the approval of the House. However, if these five vacancies, including the vacancy in the ministry for foreign affairs, are to be filled by any one or more from those in the ranks of Minster of State or from the back benches-----

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