Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure Deputy Shortall that I appointed people both to Cabinet and as Ministers of State based on their ability. Obviously, leaders and taoisigh can consider a variety of issues. I would point to gender. Every female Fine Gael TD seeking re-election is now a Minister or Minister of State, so that is a commitment to gender. Geography does have an important role to play in politics - it is not all just the greater Dublin area - and having different perspectives brought to the Cabinet table and decision-making tables is important. I do not think there is a need for new guidelines on this, but I will lead a Government that will adhere to the public spending code and will of course put a rationale and criteria in place as regards our spending decisions.

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