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

I thank the Members of the House for the good wishes that have been extended to the new Government this evening. I thank the people of Dublin Central for giving me the great privilege to serve in the Dáil. I also wish to acknowledge my family, my Mam and my supporters who have supported me in getting to this point. I thank my former colleagues in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. They await with great interest the arrival of Deputy Ross. He has a fantastic Department that will stand with and behind him at all times. I also wish to acknowledge the pleasure it was to work with the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, and to see his unyielding commitment at all times to Irish sport.

I look forward to continuing to build on the progress that was achieved by the former Minister, Deputy Howlin, and on the work done by the Minister, Deputy Noonan, in my new role. What they achieved, with the support of the people, was and is vital. A falling rate of unemployment matters, as does a falling deficit and falling bond yield. We have seen the damage that the opposite of those can do to communities and families. More particularly, they matter now because they give this Government and Dáil the tools we need to take children and families out of hotels and into homes. They give us the tools we need to ensure those who need public services the most can access them, regardless of their income.

I am conscious that it is ten weeks since the Dáil was elected. I have had the opportunity to engage with many Deputies on the formation of the Government. It was clear from all the Deputies I engaged with, both party and non-party, that their convictions and intentions reflected the fact they wanted the best for our country. Regardless of whether they completed the process to the end, we tried to reflect their sentiments and beliefs in the programme for Government. However, it is also obvious that some Members sat in splendid, and sometimes not so splendid, isolation, telling us to hurry up and form a Government with the sole intention of seeking to rubbish it. Tonight, Members called for vision, but all I heard from them was vitriol. Other Members have called for new politics, but all I hear from them is the worst of the old. I have heard about their alleged commitment to constructive opposition, but all I hear is their determination to oppose all, regardless of merit.

As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I wish to play my part in this Government and Dáil by remembering the word "public" in the title. This is not the Government's or my Department's money but the money of those who elected us. It is the people's money and it must be invested wisely.

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