Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

This reshuffle has been landed on the Taoiseach because of a major political crisis. What we have seen exposed is the connection between the Taoiseach's party and the Department of Justice and Equality, and the Department's willingness to turn its back to corruption. The Taoiseach and his willingness to defend the indefensible have also been exposed.

On the appointments, it is quite incredible to appoint somebody as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht who has a track record of anti-Traveller bigotry and of using anti-Traveller bigotry in her election material. It does not say a lot about the Taoiseach and his willingness to incorporate minorities and others. There is tut-tutting from Deputies on the Opposition benches. We have seen that Fianna Fáil were willing to support this Government when homelessness and housing issues were at record levels. That was no problem, so I would appreciate if they would not tut-tut when I am making an important point.

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