Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

The Dáil meets today at a time of change within the Government, but equally at a moment of continued cohesion. This is made possible because we live in a country with a stable Government that has a collective commitment to a programme for Government and a clear mission to build and secure a prosperous future for the people of Ireland.

My friend and colleague, Paschal Donohoe, has served with unparallelled distinction for over 18 years as an Oireachtas Member and over 14 years as a member of Dáil Éireann. He has presided over ten budgets as either Minister for Finance or Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, which, if not quite record-breaking, is an extraordinary achievement in any modern parliamentary democracy. He has also served as Minister for Transport and Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, where he established himself as a highly effective and trusted Minister. On the international stage, he has been elected as president of the Eurogroup on three occasions, which makes clear the extremely high regard in which he is held by colleagues across the EU. In the constituency of Dublin Central, Paschal won and repeatedly held a seat for Fine Gael time and again. He did so through his sheer personal effort, hard work and the characteristic bond he has built with his constituents to whom I know he has been deeply committed.

He has performed all of these roles with an acumen that has led to a unique level of public trust in his steadiness, steeliness and stalwart dedication to this country's economic well-being. His calm stewardship helped to guide Ireland through some of the most challenging periods in our recent history, including Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic and a period of major global economic uncertainty. His prudent management of the public finances has underpinned Ireland's recovery and growth, ensuring that our economy remains resilient and our society continues to prosper. Of course, those of us who work closely with Paschal on a personal level know that he brings to the job a determined and undimmed optimism, unflappable good humour and exceptional collegiality and friendship. We are immensely proud of all he has done and of his latest achievement as he becomes managing director and chief knowledge officer of the World Bank, based in Washington DC.

It is impossible to find words for how much we will miss him as a friend and colleague. I can only wish my good friend, Paschal, along with Justine, Oscar and Lucy, every happiness and success in the next chapter of their lives. He should know that we will always be here for him and we will always count him among our friends. Paschal, go raibh míle maith agat agus comhghairdeas.

I turn to the appointment of Ministers, which the Taoiseach has just announced. I will move to the Department of Finance, where my commitment is working with the Minister, Deputy Chambers, to continue to steer Ireland's economic policy; to continue our record level of investment in infrastructure while we reform delivery; to pull every lever we can to deliver increased housing supply; to wisely manage our resources to deliver better public services as our population grows; to protect jobs and back businesses and farmers; and to save and plan for the future in an uncertain world. I look forward to working closely with the Minister, Deputy Chambers, and the Taoiseach in the time ahead.

Deputy Helen McEntee is being appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence, where I know she will bring to bear her years of experience as Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs and as a senior member of the Cabinet. This appointment will come at a time when Ireland's place in the world and our relationships with Europe, the United States of America and our nearest neighbours in the UK and further afield have never been more important. It is a moment of great geopolitical upheaval and instability, but one in which Ireland has been and must continue to be a calm, reliable voice for diplomacy and dialogue. I know that the Minister, Deputy McEntee, will continue to be a strong voice for that approach. It also comes at a time where we are preparing for Ireland to hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of next year. I look forward to working closely with her and colleagues across government on what will be a significant period for Ireland and its place in the EU.

Deputy Hildegarde Naughton is being appointed Minister for Education and Youth, where I know she will bring valuable years of experience, including as Minister of State in that Department. She has a particularly deep commitment to children with special educational needs. I know she will continue to develop the national education therapy service, increase the number of special places and SNAs, increase teacher supply overall and drive forward our new school building programme, which is needed for our growing population.

Deputy Emer Higgins will take on the role of Minister of State with responsibility for disability at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. Working closely with the Minister, Deputy Foley, she will advance this enormously important role as we seek to bring about a step change in the delivery of services following an unprecedented level of investment in the last budget in disability services and through the implementation of our new national disability strategy.

In recognition of his long service and significant experience in the Oireachtas, Deputy Frank Feighan is being appointed to the role of Minister of State at the Department of public expenditure with special responsibility for public procurement, digitalisation and egovernment. He will work there to lead the agenda on better procurement of public contracts and advancing the Government's digital agenda. I know Frank will bring to this role his many years of experience as a Member of both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann.

I am particularly pleased that in making today's appointments, I have had the opportunity to promote three women, including the country's first female foreign affairs Minister and first female defence Minister.

I am putting forward a team of talent, experience and commitment across government to work in a united fashion with the two parties in government and with our Independents to implement our programme.

Paschal leaves us having just completed his final budget but it is the first of five budgets for this Government. We have much work to do and we remain intensely focused on delivery. We have just published the new national housing plan and we will shortly publish an action plan to accelerate the delivery of essential infrastructure - key priorities for every member of this Government. We have been able to provide record levels of investment and we must now match that with record levels of effort to deliver continued success.

We should not take our strong economic position for granted. It is not an accident that we are in the economic position we find ourselves in. We must continue to be careful. We must continue to be prudent as we face geopolitical headwinds and potential economic volatility. We have run budget surpluses for the past three years, and we must continue to make the right political choices in the years ahead. We must be balanced and we must be responsible but we also must know that the security of our economy depends on investing in the ingenuity of our people. So, with every decision we make in the time ahead, we must continue to invest - invest in our people - protect jobs and enhance our economic competitiveness.

Having served as Taoiseach, as a senior Minister in five Government Departments and as a Minister of State in the Department of Finance, having chaired the Cabinet committee on the economy and having chaired the Government trade forum, I am looking forward to taking on the role of Minister for Finance, and working with colleagues across government and across the Oireachtas on economic policy and keeping this country's economy secure. For me, economic prosperity and social cohesion go hand in hand, and I know that is a value we share across government. We must manage our public finances responsibly and equitably for our citizens. As per the programme for Government, we will use windfall receipts to address strategic infrastructure deficits, never for the day-to-day, and we will continue to build up our long-term savings funds to help this country withstand future shocks. Should that shock come, I, and the Government, will always cleave to two principles: we will continue to build and we will continue to protect our public services.

I look forward to preparing a new medium-term fiscal plan with colleagues - the Minister, Deputy Chambers, in particular - setting out a budgetary path to anchor sustainable public finances, deliver progress on the economic and social priorities of the Government and protect the long-term prospects of our country.

I know that when developments like today's occur, it can be a moment of intrigue and it can certainly be a moment of shock but it will not be a moment of interruption. There will be no pause in the momentum we must demonstrate in the business of Government. There is always more to do. We will meet the challenges which confront us now, just as we have done in the past. Let us get on with the job.

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