Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

However, I wonder how the people of the north west, particularly the Deputies who represent Sligo, feel today, given that they do not have even one permanent one in their area. These grubby little deals will all have to be published in full so that the public and this House can see every single detail down to the last comma. If any Independent comes in here and says something else that is on that list subsequently, unfortunately, we will have to call everything to account.

I want to express some concerns also about the proposed reorganisation of ministerial roles, particularly for the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Three Departments are replacing the old Department, and I wish all the Ministers the best. First, I welcome the fact that we now have a Department with responsibility for climate change. That is critically important. However, I note from the way the Department has been divided in three that there is no section on the environment. The Taoiseach may want to clarify where the environment role is and, effectively, who will be the Minister for water.

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