Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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We now have the nomination of member of Government. We have an 80-minute slot, with ten minutes for each leader and time can be shared. I ask that Members advise.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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.