Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What a refreshing speech we heard from Deputy Eamon Ryan, who noted how important it is even occasionally to comment on what is going well. If we could do that even occasionally in this House we would be able to think more clearly and find better solutions to the many problems out there. I believe the people watching today, the citizens, would welcome it, because there are things that are going well in this country, but of course there are many challenges as well.

It is a particular honour, one that I recognise and value highly, for me to address this House as Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality. This partnership Government is not just new; it is profoundly and radically different. As everybody knows, it has taken time, commitment, energy and effort to reach this point. It has taken a willingness to listen, to question and to accept differing viewpoints, traits that are important and that we need in abundance if we are to meet the socioeconomic and international challenges that we face in this world.

We do stand, as Deputy Finian McGrath said, united in a new commitment to people who have not yet benefited from the economic recovery, who are unsure about their future, who are ill or suffer from a disability or have been swept to the margins of Irish life. Success for us will be measured by an improved quality of life for our people and by the opportunities a fair society provides for every single citizen. My party’s commitment to a just society is deep, and the difficult decisions we have taken over the past five years, along with our Labour Party colleagues, have meant that we now have the foundations in place to do just that: to create a just and caring society which gives equal opportunity to all. We saw that in the marriage equality referendum which so gripped this country last year.

When we look at this Government we see a brand new diversity, one that matches the construction of our nation at this time.

Diversity is a challenge and a strength. It gives strength and insight. It turns issues on their side to give us a fresh viewpoint. I pay tribute to the Taoiseach who has recognised that diversity and its importance by making a historic decision to appoint six women to the Cabinet.

Uniformity of thought will not be present in this Government. It will draw on radically different viewpoints and ideas, putting people and partnership at its core. It will be consultative rather than prescriptive, valuing and respecting the differences around the Cabinet table and in different Departments. Dáil reform at its best should be able to do that as well.

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