Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I move:

That Dáil Éireann approves the nomination by the Taoiseach of the Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton for appointment by the President to be a member of the Government.

Ba mhian liom a fhógairt do Dháil Éireann go bhfuair mé fógra ón Aire Airgeadais, an Teachta Paschal Donohoe, go bhfuil sé ag éirí as a phost mar Aire Airgeadais agus mar bhall Rialtais. Chuir mé é sin in iúl don Uachtarán. Dá réir, molaim do Dháil Éireann ainmniúchán an Teachta Hildegarde Naughton le ceapadh ag an Uachtarán le freastal mar bhall Rialtais. Ar mholadh an Tánaiste, an Teachta Simon Harris, tá sé i gceist agam an Teachta Harris a ainmniú mar Aire Airgeadais, an Teachta Helen McEntee a ainmniú mar Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála agus mar Aire Cosanta, agus an Teachta Hildegarde Naughton a ainmniú le freastal mar Aire Oideachais agus Óige. Chomh maith leis sin, beidh mé ag moladh don Rialtas an Teachta Emer Higgins a cheapadh mar Aire Stáit ag freastal ar an gComh-Aireacht agus táim sásta an Teachta Frank Feighan a ainmniú mar Aire Stáit ag an Roinn caiteachais.

I wish to inform the House that the President, acting on my advice, has accepted the resignation of Deputy Paschal Donohoe as a member of the Government. I intend to assign the Department of Finance to the Tánaiste, Deputy Harris. I intend to assign the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Defence to the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Department of Education and Youth to the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton. I intend to nominate the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, to be a Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality with responsibility for disability. She will attend Government meetings. I intend to nominate Deputy Feighan as Minister of State as the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation with special responsibility for public procurement, digitalisation and egovernment.

I would like to congratulate Deputy Donohoe on his appointment to such an important role in the World Bank. This appointment is a tribute to the impact he has made in three important ministerial roles over the past decade as well as his work as president of the Eurogroup. He is only the fourth person to hold that role and his election to it for three terms showed the deep esteem in which he is held throughout Europe. This appointment is also a testament to the high regard in which Ireland is held due to the active and positive work of members of Government in international institutions.

There are those who seem to assume that Ireland’s standing rests on how loud we speak. The truth is that it is actually based on the much harder work of countless hours spent building relationships and showing our values through constructive work with others. Paschal’s work on our behalf and on behalf of all the people of Europe deserves our thanks, respect and appreciation. He was also a tireless advocate on behalf of the communities of Dublin Central, dedicating himself to the work of promoting investment and structural change, as well as improvement to the quality of life on the ground.

On a personal level, over the past five years I have enjoyed working closely with Paschal during some of the most challenging times faced by our country and by the European Union. He was a central part of policies which helped us to emerge strongly from the fastest recession and the largest public health emergency recorded in modern times. Although he was proud to represent his party, he always treated his colleagues from Fianna Fail and Independents with respect and understanding. He was always motivated by a belief in the values of our democratic Republic and those we share with other democracies. He was also very useful for giving you the odd tip on a book to read from to time.

Over recent decades the role of the World Bank has changed radically. It has become a dynamic force for helping find new ways to overcome poverty and tackle disease. It is by far the largest funder of innovation in the field of development and its positive impact is felt in countless communities throughout the world. I wish Paschal, Justine and their children all the very best for their future. I know he will represent Ireland with distinction in this important new role.

The changes which I am proposing to the membership of the Government and ministerial responsibilities concern important roles. However, these changes are being made in the context of a very clear set of priorities which define the work of our term.

Following the mandate we secured in last year's general election, the parties and Deputies that support the Government resoundingly endorsed a comprehensive programme for Government to be implemented across five years. While we unfortunately have many in the House who cannot bring themselves to respect the mandate of others, we will continue to fulfil ours.

We have already prepared and put in place the largest programme of investment and development in our country's history through the national development plan. Comprehensive action on speeding up the delivery of housing has been prepared and is being implemented. We have completed our first budget, giving priority to developing essential services, developing infrastructure, supporting those most in need and protecting our economy in the event of a downturn, and the Finance Bill has almost completed its journey through the House. We have also responded to rapidly changing international conditions, working to ensure Ireland has the foundations in place to secure our economy and social supports. These are defining parts of our work this year and will continue. As Minister for Finance, the Tánaiste, Deputy Harris, will, with the Minister, Deputy Chambers, move forward the Government's plans and our commitment to securing social and economic progress.

Deputy Helen McEntee will move to the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence at a critical moment. While we will formally hold the Presidency of the Council of Ministers from mid-year, work on our commitments as part of the Presidency is already well under way, as is our active work in promoting a just peace for the Palestinian people and the people of Ukraine and Sudan. The invitation for me to attend the G20 meeting in South Africa is a reflection of the high standing of our contributions to international debates and of the fact that the country is already a key part of various critical discussions. I am determined that Ireland will continue to have its voice heard on vital international issues and on promoting a positive agenda for the future of Europe. Holding the European Union Presidency is always a significant challenge for smaller countries. It requires a large amount of attention, but the benefit to the country of a positive Presidency is always significant.

We will also push forward our plans to improve our ability to defend ourselves against very real threats. Investment in our Defence Forces and defence capabilities will remain a priority. I look forward to working closely with Deputy McEntee during what is already an intense period of activity in European and international affairs. I have no doubt that her extensive experience of the Council of Ministers and operations at the highest level of the European Union will have a positive impact. She was formerly a Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Investment, reform and inclusion in education are central to our programme for Government. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton will bring extensive experience to the role of Minister for Education and Youth and is in a position to have immediate impact. The agenda in the Department of Education and Youth is an exciting one. It involves completing important curricular reform, which will ensure we update what we teach and ensure high quality. Our programme of dramatic investment in the quality of educational facilities will continue to accelerate, as will our implementation of major reforms to the level and nature of critical supports for children with special needs. A new model of provision of key therapies in special schools is proceeding and will be an important part of the new Minister's work in conjunction with the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan. Given her past work in this area, I know that Deputy Naughton will make an important contribution to a new era in special education. The Tánaiste and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, will continue the fiscal and economic underpinning that will enable us to implement all these important plans.

It is a proud day when any person is nominated to serve as a member of the Government of a democratic republic. I wish Deputy Naughton well in her new role. I congratulate her and acknowledge her family and supporters in Galway who have worked hard for her over the years. I also congratulate the highly regarded Deputy Frank Feighan on his elevation to the office of Minister of State. I know this House will receive his appointment well.

Gabhaim buíochas arís leis an Teachta Donohoe as a sheirbhís ar son mhuintir na hÉireann agus guím gach ádh agus rath air ina ról tábhachtach. Molaim don Dáil ainmniúchán an Teachta Hildegarde Naughton le ceapadh mar Aire Rialtais.

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