Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to hear it. I welcome this appointment. That has not been clear.

I believe delegation orders were before the Cabinet this week in respect of other Departments. They have not cropped up in this case. I believe the way the Cabinet reshuffle was dealt with has created uncertainty. While the issue of the salary is not a matter for the Minister, I believe it is discriminatory that the senior person - who happens to be a woman - is not getting the allowance and that the allowance is being given to two men who are actually junior to her in the Cabinet order of precedence.

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