Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I would like to congratulate the many Deputies who have been elected to this House for the first time. This is a special day in their lives and one I am sure they will remember. It is a special day for them and their families, and I hope that after the proceedings die down they will remember it with a degree of fondness. I would also like to express my commiseration to the many former Members who were not re-elected on this occasion, many of whom did sterling work in the interests of the country and its people, particularly during the recent crisis years.

The Dáil has so far failed to agree on the nomination of a Taoiseach. Therefore, in accordance with the precedent set in 1989 and followed through in 1992, after today's sitting has concluded, I will inform the President of my resignation from office. In accordance with Article 28.11 of the Constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann, the Government and I will continue to carry out our duties until a new Government has been appointed. Let me assure the Irish people that the Government remains in place and that I and my Cabinet colleagues will continue to work hard in the best interests of the country and of all the people. My immediate duties as Taoiseach include official travel to Washington to meet the US President, Mr. Obama, the Vice President, Mr. Biden, and the Speaker, Mr. Ryan, for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Following that, I will attend the European Council meeting in Brussels, which will discuss a number of important issues, including in particular the migration crisis, which has enormous implications for European Union, the future of the Schengen area and the Dublin Convention itself. The Government and the State agencies are also fully engaged in preparation for the centenary commemoration of the Easter Rising, which will be a respectful and inclusive occasion to mark a truly seminal moment in our democratic history.

Beyond these immediate events, a range of important issues and challenges face Ireland. The careful management of the economy and the public finances must and will remain a priority, particularly in the complex and uncertain international economic environment. The presentation of the Spring Economic Statement, the introduction of a new way of dealing with the Estimates, and the presentation of the budget in approximately 28 weeks' time are matters to be focused on. In a matter of a few short months, the people of the United Kingdom will vote on their future relationship with the European Union, the outcome of which has huge implications for this country and for Northern Ireland. While Brexit may not have been an issue on the doorsteps in the recent election, it is an issue that is coming at us and the implications are not to be underestimated. We will continue to provide jobs for our people by driving the implementation of the Action Plan for Jobs, which has been so successful at reducing the rate of unemployment from 15% in 2011 to 8.8% today. We will work in a diligent way on the critical discussions that must take place at a European level now in respect of climate change issues that are arising and that must be dealt with in the near future.

Five years ago, when Fine Gael and the Labour Party entered government, we did so at a time of unprecedented economic uncertainty for Ireland. At that time, our very survival was in doubt. Public finances were out of control, jobs were decimated at an alarming rate and Government had to face unprecedented difficulties. Many believed the situation was hopeless and that rescuing the economy and ending the bailout was virtually impossible.

The Government faced that crisis head on, with tough and very difficult decisions taken that we knew well would be unpopular, and they still have a lasting effect on many people. They were necessary, and as a result of those decisions being taken to end the crisis, the bailout was ended and the country is in a different place now.

As I have acknowledged on many occasions, we did not get everything right over the past five years and we were not able to achieve all we had hoped, but the country is moving in the right direction. I note the official Central Statistics Office preliminary figures published today demonstrate that our economy grew by 7.8% in 2015, the highest rate for 15 years and the highest rate in Europe for the second year running. Our proposition for the re-election of the Government of Fine Gael and Labour did not receive the mandate of the people in the general election and it is incumbent on us all to work with the outcome of the recent election and the verdict given by the people.

I thank all those who served as Members in the outgoing Government in the very difficult circumstances we inherited five years ago. In particular, I thank the former Tánaiste, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, who was leader of the Labour Party, and the current Tánaiste, Deputy Joan Burton, for their diligence, commitment and courage in standing up and making very difficult decisions in the interest of the country. Beyond that, the backbenchers of both parties were on the receiving end of a very difficult public onslaught and I thank them for their courage in standing by the country and its people. Many of them are not here today because of the outcome of the general election.

We must continue to address the very real issues in the health area, homelessness and housing. These are not issues that can be put on hold until a new Government is appointed and they will not be put on hold. It is incumbent on us all with the privilege of serving in the 32nd Dáil to intensify our efforts to provide this country with a lasting and durable Government. Since the general election, my colleagues and I in the Fine Gael Party have been deeply engaged in dialogue with many of the parties, groupings and individual Independent Deputies. These discussions have been very constructive and I have found a strong consensus across the groups on the need for a stable and lasting Government. As Taoiseach and leader of the largest party in the House, I am fully committed to working over the coming weeks to ensure the people get the Government they need and deserve and on which they have given a verdict. I invite all those who share that common objective to work with us in the time ahead and see that it can become a reality.

From many of the contributions I have listened to, it seems that a substantial number of people do not want to serve in a Government and to have the responsibility of making decisions for the future direction of our country. That is their right and they are entitled to that view. Those of us who accept the responsibilities of a mandate given by the people in respect of providing a Government for the future of our people and country have a duty to face those responsibilities and deal with them in the best way possible. There are options and it behoves those of us who accept responsibility, as I do as Taoiseach, Head of Government and leader of my party, to examine all those options in the interests of providing this country with a working Government that will last.

While the work of forming a stable Government is going on, there must be clear consensus, as there is in the House, that a process should be put in place to make that become a reality. I am glad the Ceann Comhairle is the recipient of his authority after being independently voted on through the reform example of a secret ballot in the House. It is true that Dáil reform was not the issue on every doorstep in every constituency; of course it was not. We also made the change when Dáil committees are set up of allocating members according to the d'Hondt system. The committees will no longer be the preserve of the Taoiseach or the ruling parties of the day but will be weighted in terms of the numbers of seats that groups and individuals have. In that sense, I am very glad to see the increased number of women Members in the House. I know there was controversy about the selection process and the issue of quotas, but regardless of whether it was a help, everybody is here in his or her own right and on the basis of his or her qualities, personality and strength of conviction. Long may that continue and we would like to see such reform increase in the years ahead.

Pre-legislative scrutiny has been an important issue of reform that has allowed further engagement for Members. Having spoken to most Members at this stage, I am very committed to understanding that the respect and integrity of every Deputy must be seen. In return for that, there will be a change in the way business is done at committee level. It will not just be a case of wanting more money for this or that every week. The pot is not endless and people must make recommendations based on their own views about how issues are prioritised. That will change the nature of debate and the work of committees so that the Executive and Cabinet can make decisions in a much more informed manner arising from a really comprehensive set of discussions. I wish the Ceann Comhairle the best in his chairing of a standing committee to deal with issues that Members on all sides, including new Members and those here for years, can raise.

This is obviously not the outcome I personally would have liked to see. I respect the verdict of the people in the general election and that of the House. I shall in due course tender my resignation to the President in accordance with the relevant article of the Constitution and see that the Government continues its work in the interests of the people and the country until a new Government is endorsed by the House.

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