Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I fail to see what involvement the Tánaiste had in it, but she can take what credit she wishes.

In the Tánaiste's little soliloquy she spoke about appointing a Minister of State with responsibility for rural affairs as part of the programme for Government. She might recall that the appointment was a replacement for a senior Minister and a Department that existed prior to this Government taking office, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Tánaiste is reminding the people that in the negotiations with Fine Gael, she relegated rural affairs to a Minister of State rather than a Minister. I had forgotten that when I was preparing my few words for this debate and I thank her for reminding me.

I also remind the Tánaiste that following the negotiations on the programme for Government, a Minister of State was appointed with responsibility for public transport. The Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, was the Minister of State at the time and he did little else in that role other than protect the rail line between Nenagh and Ballybrophy. When he moved to the higher office of Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, the office of a Minister of State with responsibility for public transport was consigned to the shredder, like many of the Government's promises prior to the last election.

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