Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Rather, they sought to use their offices - as Ministers and Deputies - to seek assurances for those they were elected to represent and I commend them for that. As Minister, I did my best to respond to the points that were made. Indeed, they were crucial in determining the criteria for evaluating the initial proposal and fundamental to the agreement secured by this Government. I want to acknowledge the role played by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan and the Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Nash in a process that has gone on for many months, in private and in public, in advancing issues which they knew to be important. They, along with many of my colleagues in both parties with whom I engaged over many months, showed passion and ambition for their country.

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