Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Tonight as we hold our first Cabinet meeting, this Government will establish the Cabinet committee on children, education and disability. I am determined to put a focus on disability. It is about breaking down silos across Government and making change happen more quickly. We are determined to bring new coherence and faster progress on solving the issues that matter most to people with disabilities and I know that aim unites all three parties in government. I am also committed to building on the good work of the child poverty and well-being programme office established by my predecessor, Deputy Leo Varadkar. We will make more progress on that in the next budget.

The Irish State has a proud history of peacekeeping and making our mark in the world. We punch above our weight and we have a responsibility to bring our influence to bear on global issues like migration, climate, international conflicts and human rights. We have built strong relationships with our European neighbours and we will continue to work in partnership to uphold our shared values and objectives.

I am proud of the shared partnership which has been built by the three parties in coalition since 2020. This Government will be founded on that mutual respect and together we will work day and night to fulfil the ambitious agenda we have set out in our programme for Government. Now, let us get to work.

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