Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)

Go raibh maith agat. I am sharing time with our finance spokesperson, Deputy Ged Nash.

At the outset, I wish to acknowledge the utterly tragic news from Louth at the weekend. Five young lives were lost horrifically on our roads. I express my deepest sympathies to their families and communities on behalf of the Labour Party.

Today's shock announcement by the outgoing Minister, Deputy Paschal Donohoe - I think the Tánaiste used the word "shock" and while certainly it is a shock to us, it clearly was to him as well - underscores the crisis at the heart of this Government. On a personal level and on behalf of the Labour Party, I wish Deputy Donohoe very well in his new role. I wish him and his family well as he goes to the World Bank. I hope he will still find the time to continue writing his book reviews. Similarly, on a personal level, I send my best wishes to the newly reshuffled Ministers, Deputies Harris and McEntee, the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton and the Ministers of State, Deputies Higgins and Feighan on their elevation. I welcome the fact that we will now see more women in Cabinet. I welcome the fact that for the first time in Irish history, we are going to have a woman in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. That is very welcome.

However, Deputy Donohoe's announcement today indicates an abject lack of direction from Government. After less than a year in office, it shows the Government has no coherent programme of policies for the future; indeed, it seems the Taoiseach and the members of Government have no confidence, not even in themselves. There is no other way to describe so sudden a departure of such a senior Cabinet member less than a year after Government formation. It is a clear expression of lack of confidence. It demonstrates a crisis of confidence. Earlier this year, I remarked that the Taoiseach has become a very tetchy Taoiseach. I think he is now being joined by a rather twitchy Tánaiste and a fleeing finance Minister.

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