Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)

I raise the importance of our economy and funding of public services, and a particularly vital public service referenced in the programme for Government. I do so from the seat in Dáil Éireann that I first pursued and held in 2011. While doing so, I offer some words of acknowledgement and thanks to those who have allowed me to be here and to discharge my duties. I thank the many communities of Dublin Central for their support, kindness and respect over many years and say to them how proud I was to represent them. I thank all of the staff at the finance and budgetary oversight committees and here who make this more than just a place to work. They make it a Parliament that we are proud to serve in. I thank them again for their support and courtesy during my tenure here. I thank my own team, who have worked so closely with me over so many years to allow me to do my work as a Minister and a representative of Dublin Central. I acknowledge that this is a complex and tough week for them, and I thank them for all they have done for me to allow me to do the work I have been trusted and privileged to do.

The particular matter I want to raise is the relationship between our economy and public services. I am confident and certain that whatever progress we have made in recent years in our economy, which I believe is real, will only be built on and further improved by the Tánaiste as Minister for Finance. As he is doing that, I ask that he keep one public service in particular in mind and that is our libraries. I am proud of the investment we have made through our local authorities in recent years in the funding, and opening, of new libraries. They are cradles of decency. They are beacons of light in a world in which things are changing so much. We should be proud that we are in a country that values them, invests in them, that recognises the value of reading and that recognises the value of a place that offers both solitude and community at the same time. I ask the Tánaiste that the reaffirms the support of the Government to continue this investment and in his time, and in the many budgets that await under this Government, that he and his colleagues continue to prioritise that, and prioritise this vital public service upon which so much depends.

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for his support in the many committees I have appeared in front of that he has chaired and the relentless but always fair way in which he has discharged his duties. I wish everybody in this Dáil happiness, health and success in representing their constituents.

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