Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On a personal level, I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and the incoming Minister, Deputy Madigan, on their new portfolios and I say comhghairdeas to Deputy Coveney on his elevation to the position of Tánaiste. The Taoiseach now has a very strong Cork flavour to his Government. In addition to the Tánaiste, we have the Minister, Deputy Creed; the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, whom I do not see in the Chamber; and of course Deputy Micheál Martin. No doubt the Tánaiste will find that he has many allies and alliances to work on. I wish him well.

I remind the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, that issues of enterprise and decent work are at the core of any progressive Government. Brexit throws up many challenges.

I wish the Deputy well in her work. I have no doubt that Deputy Madigan will advance the cause of diversity in society in her new brief of culture, heritage and Gaeltacht and will recognise many cultures, not least that of our Traveller citizens. I look forward to her proposals as a member of Government in that regard.

Having wished the Deputies well personally, I hope they will not take it personally that Sinn Féin will not be supporting them in their elevation to these roles. As they know, we are actually members of the Opposition. This is where the Opposition in the Dáil sits. As such, our role is to hold my friends to account - to support them when they are doing the right things but to oppose them vigorously when they make the wrong decisions and bring us in the wrong direction as, sadly, they do so often. We need a change of Government. Whatever about the anxiety in the course of recent days about a Christmas election, Santa Claus is back on track and Christmas has not been cancelled. Let us be very clear that a change of Government and a change of policy is required, not just a change of faces.

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