Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Labour Party, I sincerely congratulate on a personal basis the three Deputies mentioned by the Taoiseach in his announcement - the three Ministers. I know how important it is for the friends of families of individuals. We get many down days and we occasionally get up days. It is an important occasion for them. I had reason to expect this announcement in respect of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the new Tánaiste, when we met for the Brexit forum at 8 a.m. this morning. I wished him well on the day. I felt a certain joyousness of expectation in our discussion. That discussion underscored the serious job of work which needs to be done. The Minister's work in that regard is enhanced by having the status of Deputy Prime Minister or Tánaiste attached. The fact that the new Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation is from a Border county is also an important signal.

I wish Deputy Josepha Madigan sincerest congratulations. To be elevated to Cabinet directly is a great personal triumph. I wish her well in that regard. We will continue to question all challenging issues. There is no doubt about that. We will continue to hold this Government to account. My final point is that Ministers are given seals of office and are politically accountable. It is not a matter of individual civil servants. Ministers are corporate soles and they are individually accountable for the operation of their Ministries. From a Labour Party perspective, we will certainly continue to hold them to account.

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