Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I am pleased to confirm that we will vote to support the Taoiseach's proposal to nominate members of the Government.

The Government reflects the shared commitment of our three parties to an ambitious programme across the full term of this Dáil. Tugann na hainmniúcháin agus na moltaí de bhaill an Rialtais léiriú ar dhíograis roinnte na bpáirtithe Rialtais an obair chuimsitheach uaillmhianach atá idir lámha againn a thabhairt chun críche. I gcodarsnacht leis an bhFreasúra, creidimid go bhfuil ár dtír láidir agus gur féidir léi a bheith níos fearr fós fad is nach nglacann an Freasúrsa go bhfuil aon dul chun cinn déanta in aon ghné de shaol na tíre seo. Tá gach duine ainmnithe agus molta le haghaidh oifige i ndiaidh a gcumais agus a ndúthracht a thaispeáint chun Éire níos láidre agus cothroime a chinntiú agus a sholáthar. Oibreoidh gach duine díobh le chéile ar chlár soiléir gníomhach a sheasann i gcodarsnacht le polasaithe diúltacha millteacha daoine agus páirtithe eile.

To be returned as a Member of this House and nominated to high office is an honour and a responsibility. We are in government not to keep things as they are but to help our country to progress; to address the needs both of today and the years ahead and to be both honest and ambitious in serving our growing and diverse society. This was reflected in our agreed programme and in the priorities of each Minister in government. Time is not available to go into every element of the Government's work and repeat many of the debates we have here each day. I will, however, address a number of special priorities.

My decision to take up the roles of Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence reflects the fact my party and the Government view these as critical to our nation. At this moment of ongoing threat against European democracy, maintaining and building on Ireland's role will be central to my work. Many vital discussions will be held in the next two years and Ireland will be advocating for a Europe, which works with urgency and ambition to expand its role. We will support democracy and the rule of law, leaving no doubt where our country stands on these fundamental issues. It is my intention to strengthen our support for Ireland's international, economic, cultural and academic impact, ensuring we go further in reaching out to both existing and new networks of individuals of groups who wish to engage with Ireland in its modern diversity. I look forward to working with our excellent diplomatic corps in the work ahead.

Nearly a quarter of a century after the victory of democratic politics represented by the Good Friday Agreement and the referendums, we have done too little to fulfil the promise of what Seamus Mallon so wisely termed, "a new dispensation". The restoration of the democratic institutions in Belfast is a core priority for us. We will continue to work in good faith and urgency to resolve the blockages to restoration. I have no doubt but that our colleagues in the European Union will continue in their commitment to finding a way of implementing agreements between the United Kingdom and the European Union. It is in the interests of everyone for us to move on to the more important work of delivering economic development for the benefit of all.

It is an honour to take the position of Minister for Defence. The loss of Private Seán Rooney and the injuries to Trooper Shane Kearney this week are another reminder to us of the service of Óglaigh na hÉireann to our democracy and values. At our toughest moments, they stood against those who would destroy our democracy and, internationally, they have brought great honour to our country. I am very conscious of the many issues facing our Defence Forces and I will work with my colleagues to focus on improving the quality of working life for those who wear the uniforms of Óglaigh na hÉireann. I look forward to working with the leadership of our Defence Forces, the various representative bodies and the wider community in helping to modernise and strengthen their work.

By every available measure, our economic situation today is dramatically better than it was two and a half years ago. Ireland has moved into a recovery faster and more comprehensively than any comparable country. The very reason we are in a position to invest in public services is that our work to limit job losses and support recovery has been highly successful. The exchange of roles by Deputies Michael McGrath and Donohoe reflects the agreement of our parties to respect balance within the Government, once the Office of An Taoiseach rotated.

Our core fiscal policy will continue to be to support a strong economy and use the resources it generates to implement sustainable improvements in critical public services and investments. We are going to continue with urgent work to address issues such as insurance costs and other costs which impact on every business and household. We are also going to move forward with reforms to significantly speed up delivery of critical infrastructure central to supporting to our economy, combatting climate change, and building new homes. The Ministers, Deputies Michael McGrath and Donohoe, have worked well together. This particularly showed itself both in the preparation of budgets and in the development of the economic recovery measures which have helped so many through the pandemic and in the months afterwards. I have no doubt that this strong co-operation will continue.

Delivering a step change in the provision of new homes is an absolute priority for this Government. We have already initiated a new era in social and affordable housing. We will reform planning laws so that objections are dealt with both speedily and fairly, challenging the growing impact of unreasonable delays and blockages that prevent essential housing. During this week's confidence debate on the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, it was clear that there were not even the beginnings of a credible alternative to his plan. I have no doubt that in the rest of our term, he will continue to drive new construction and defeat Opposition representatives when they make themselves available for substantive debate rather than the sound bites they prefer.

The expansion of investment of education is a priority for us.

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