Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. Like previous speakers, I was happy when I learned that the Government intended to make time available for statements on its priorities for the year ahead. This debate provides us with an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved. However, it also allows us to consider what we want to do in the coming period. As a backbencher, I do not often get the opportunity to speak in this Chamber and I sometimes envy the amount of speaking time those on the Opposition benches enjoy. In that context, I welcome the opportunity to have my voice heard.

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