Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)

County Louth has been in mourning over the past few days and we all unite in sending our sympathies and condolences to the families left behind after that unspeakable tragedy outside Dundalk on Saturday night.

I congratulate Deputy Donohoe on his appointment. This is a very significant personal achievement and this is also a very significant achievement for Ireland. This is evidence of the respect in which Ireland is held on the international stage and the respect he has commanded in the context of his presidency of the Eurogroup. That is evidenced in his appointment announced today.

Deputy Donohoe and I were appointed to government on the exact same day, along with Deputy Alan Kelly. There are only two survivors of that Government in the House. I hope we have shown that you can disagree with somebody philosophically and politically but remain firm friends and I like to think we are just that.

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